Helen Irene Thies, age 91 of Clarence, passed away on Wednesday December 18, 2013 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A graveside service will be held on Saturday December 21, 2013 at 1:00 P.M at the Clarence Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M - 12:00 P.M with lunch to follow at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence on Saturday, December 21, 2013. Helen was born on November 5, 1922 to Ingwer and Meta (Baguss) Christophersen in Clarence. She married Henry Thies on November 9, 1941. He died on August 9, 2003. Helen graduated from Clarence High School and attended Paris Academy of Beauty Culture in Cedar Rapids. She operated a beauty shop in her home for 61 years. Helen was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence and a member of the choir, as well as a member of the Clarence Amvets Auxiliary. She is survived by three sons, Michael (Linda) of Des Moines, J. Kevin (Sheryl) of Madison, WI., and Robert (Stephanie) of Vancouver, Canada; brother, John Christophersen of Clarence; six grandchildren, Grant, Andrea, Amos, Ursula, Nicholas and Erik; and three great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Jonah and Coda. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Alfred. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John's United Church of Christ.