Helen was born on May 12, 1926 to Tony and Zoe Pappas of Mason City, IA. She grew up there and graduated from Mason City High School in 1944. She attended the University of Iowa, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education in 1949. She married Earl F. Gough of Iowa City, IA in 1950. She and Earl moved to Iowa Falls, IA in 1954 and proceeded to raise their four children. Helen taught Physical Education in the Iowa Falls High School from 1962 to 1989. She married Merle Richtsmeier in 1987 and moved to Ackley, IA. In September of 2007, Helen moved to Coralville where she resided until her death.
That is the time frame of Helen’s life but in no way does it describe her life. She was a daughter of Greek immigrants and proud of her heritage. She was someone who worked two to three jobs to put herself through college. She was someone who continued that work ethic to support her children. She was someone who was always there for her children through good and bad, but making sure they always took responsibility for their own actions. She was someone who family and friends could call day or night for help. She wasn’t the most craft oriented person as her friends could attest to, but she did learn to knit later in life, though only simple items such as wash cloths.

Helen had the most awesome sense of humor and people of all ages loved being with her. She loved “adventures” which she usually did with her friend and cohort, Sandy. She volunteered for numerous activities. She worked very hard for the Ackley Hertiage Center with her buddy, Marie. She picked grapes for her friend’s winery and was greatly disappointed when she found out she didn’t get to stomp on them. She was a very honest person and she definitely spoke her mind. You never asked her a question unless you were sure you wanted to hear the answer. She was the most loyal and trusted friend, but if lied to or deceived she could be fierce. Helen was strongly religious but in her own quiet way. And above all, she will be so greatly missed by family and all her friends.

Helen is survived by her four children: Ann (George) Sullivan of Coralville, IA and their children Shane (Carolyn) Iverson and son Jackson of Bethel, AK and Eleni (Robert) Riggs of Holly Springs, NC; Philip (Cindy) Gough and their son Tyler all of Margate, FL; Michael (Debbie) Gough of Copperas Cove, TX and their children Dana (Rebecca) Gough of Kyle, TX and Brittin Gough of Austin, TX, and William (Patty) Gough and their children Stephen and Hailey Gough all of Port St. Lucie, FL. Survivors also include her three sisters: Bessie Alukos of Evanston, IL, Harriet Bohac and Olga Dogan both of Chicago, IL and her two brothers, George Pappas of Pontiac, MI and Gus Pappas of Madison, WI.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sisters Florence Chrysikos and Ann Hrones, and a son-in-law Jack Iverson.