Obituary of Helen Gamble

Helen Marie Fishburn Gamble, daughter of Jesse Marshall Fishburn and Minerva Mae Manwarren Fishburn, was born October 2, 1924 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a 1942 graduate of Spencer High School. On February 12, 1945, Helen was united in marriage to Russell Rex Gamble in Spencer, Iowa. They lived in Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park and Humboldt before returning to Spirit Lake in 1986. Following Russell's death in 1988 and until 2009, Helen also spent much of her time living with family in Rochester, Minnesota, Des Moines and Ames. She worked as a waitress, clerk and as a middle school secretary. Helen enjoyed fishing, bird watching, spending spare change at the casino, laughter and had fun with her family. She felt pride that before Washington and Lincoln's birthdays were celebrated together on President's Day, the U.S. flag was always flying on her wedding date, Feb. 12th (Lincoln's birthday). Helen passed away June 19, 2013 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa at eighty-eight years of age. She is survived by her son, Greg Gamble of Spirit Lake; daughter, Joann Gamble Randall Craig of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, James Gamble (Mary), John Gamble, Tyler Randall, Nikki Wiberg (Klas), Ashley Nevins (Justin), Erin Lehman and Jesse Lehman; six great-grandchildren; eight nieces and nine nephews; one sister, Charlene Fishburn (Craig) of Spencer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Russell; sons, Alan and John; one brother, Andrew Fishburn and her parents.