Agnes Bertha Onken

Agnes Bertha nee Helmkamp Onken, age 93, of Carroll passed away on Monday, August 31, 2020 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by her family.

A private funeral service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidderdale on Thursday, September 3, 2020 with Pastor Robert Wagner officiating.  Organist for the service will be Ed Ludwig.  Casket bearers will be Agnes’ grandchildren.  Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery near Lidderdale.

A recording of Agnes’ funeral may be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/Pha74necWRA

Those who wish to send cards and memorials may mail them to: The Family of Agnes Onknen c/o Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home, 705 N. Carroll St.  Carroll, Iowa  51401.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on January 29, 1927 in Carroll, IA, she was the daughter of William and Frieda (Fricke) Helmkamp.  Agnes was baptized on February 20, 1927 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidderdale by Pastor J.P. Schmidt and she was confirmed on April 14, 1940 by Pastor Rudolf Herrmann.  She grew up on her family’s farm near Lidderdale and attended Immanuel Lutheran School.  Agnes was married to Laverdos Onken on June 12, 1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Pastor Rudolf Herrmann.  The couple farmed north of Carroll where they raised their family.  She was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidderdale where she was active with LWML.  She served as the church organist for many years, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school.  Agnes was a 4-H Leader for 25 years, she volunteered at New Hope Village, and she served on the Carroll County ISU Extension Council.  She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, reading, and she loved attending the activities of her children and grandchildren.  Agnes has made her home at Accura Healthcare of Carroll for three years where she received excellent care.

Agnes is survived by her children and their families: Sharon von Qualen (Ralph) of rural Carroll, Daniel Onken (Cathy) of Carroll, and Duane Onken (Brenda) of Jefferson; eight grandchildren: Frieda von Qualen (Pat Smith), Emily von Qualen (Chris Belser), Peter von Qualen (Megan), Nathan Onken (Keli), Rachel O’Polka (Joel), Abbey Onken (Chris Pitts), Wesley Onken (Rachel), and Hannah Onken; eight great-grandchildren: Hudson, Ava, Maggie, Kaleb, Cailyn, Kashen, Braxtyn, and Dorthea; and several nieces and nephews.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents William and Frieda Helmkamp; her mother and father-in-law Elmer and Carrie Onken; her husband Laverdos in 1999; two sons: David in infancy and Dale Onken; her brother Carl Helmkamp; three sisters: Olga Hansen, Meta Youngblood, and Ruth Helmkamp; and a great-grandson Carter Pitts.