Helen M. McDowell, 89, of Holden, Mo., died Friday, March 28, in Harrisburg, Mo., at the home of her son.

Funeral services will be  2 p.m. Monday, March 31, at Holden First United Methodist Church with Dr. Steve House officiating. There will be a visitation from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Ben Cast & Son – Wood Funeral Home in Holden, and burial will be in Holden Cemetery.

She was born March 1, 1925, in Sedalia, Mo., the daughter of Jesse James and Allie (Scott) Finch. She graduated from LaMonte High School and attended business college in Sedalia. She married Wayne McDowell on Feb. 14, 1947, in Warrensburg, Mo. He preceded her in death Jan. 2, 2002.

McDowell had lived in Holden since 1950. She worked as an office secretary for the Holden R-3 School District for 18 years. She worked many years as a Cub Scout leader for Troop 403 in Holden, and she was a member of Holden First United Methodist Church.

Surviving her passing are two sons, John Emmett McDowell of Kingsville, Mo.; and Jerry Lee McDowell of Harrisburg, Mo.; two daughters, Linda Marie Danforth of Holden; and Edith Mae Lefevre of Adrian, Mo.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Holden Senior Center.