Helen Lorraine Allsup Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Helen Lorraine Allsup, age 74, of Melrose, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia. Helen was born on March 24, 1946, to Frank and Eletha (DeBord) Rudolf, during a snowstorm at home near Greenfield, Iowa. Helen grew up and attended country school before attending Paterson Schools and lastly, St. Charles schools. On May 14, 1961, she was united in marriage to Robert Lee Allsup in Winterset, Iowa. To this union, 4 children were born, Crystal, Karla, Val and Robert Jr. Helen and Robert shared 43 years of marriage prior to his passing on May 14, 2004. Helen was a stay at home mother while she raised her children. She later worked as a cook at the Young Restaurant in Winterset, IA, before owning and operating Allsup Café. Helen was very mechanically inclined and helped her husband at his mechanic shop in Melrose as well as working at Bridgeview Bait and Tackle. Helen enjoyed being outdoors, camping, and going to rodeos. She was a talented seamstress who made her children’s clothing. She was a wonderful cook, known for her delicious meatloaf, as well as the snacks that she had for her children each day when they arrived home from school including homemade chocolate pudding and wonder drops (no bake cookies). Helen was extremely generous and selfless and would go without so that others would not have to. She loved others, greeting them with hugs and kisses, and never knew a stranger. Above all else, Helen’s family was everything to her. Helen is survived by her children, Crystal Sellers of What Cheer, Karla (Randy) Gehringer of St. Mary’s, Val (Bev) Allsup of Cedar and Robert Allsup Jr. of Melrose; nine grandchildren, Ben (Randi) Wagner, Joshua (Jenny) Wagner, Andrew (Shey) Wagner, Lance (Amanda) Allsup, LaTosha (Anthony) Lines, Matthew Molesworth, Rebecca Brittain, Christina Hatfield, and Eric Molesworth; thirty-seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; three sisters, Doris (Larry) Tracey, Diane Pottorff, and Debbie (Ron) Hager; and one brother, Craig (Kim) Rudolf. Helen is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Allsup; her parents, Frank and Eletha; a son-in-law, Jim Sellers; two brothers, Frank “Sonny” Rudolf and Bob Rudolf; and a sister, Judith, in infancy. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Helen’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Pastor John DeBoef officiating. Burial will follow services at Mt Calvary Cemetery in Melrose, Iowa. An open memorial has been established to be determined at a later date.

Helen Lorraine Allsup

March 24, 1946 - July 8, 2020