Helen Logan Maxwell

Helen Louise Logan was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1929. She attended and graduated from high school in Moville, Iowa. She attended Iowa State College, now Iowa State University, and received her Child Development BS degree in 1951. She was affiliated with Pi Beta Phi. Helen met Earl Edward Maxwell in Ames, Iowa, while both were attending college. Earl was from Galesburg, Illinois. Earl received his DVM degree from Iowa State College in 1949.

Helen and Doc, as Earl is called, were married on April 14, 1951, in Moville, Iowa. They lived in Elmwood, Illinois, for two years, where Doc practiced veterinarian medicine and Helen worked at the Farmers State Bank.

Doc and Helen moved to Moville in 1953. Doc founded his veterinary practice and also started Maxwell Farms. Helen was instrumental in helping manage and grow the businesses. Three boys and one girl were born to the Maxwells: Stee Logan in 1954; Chantry Joan in 1955; Tad Houston in 1958; and Reed Edward in 1959.

The family enjoyed sports, scouting, church, pets, camping, traveling, entertaining foreign visitors, and working with Doc in his veterinary practice and on the farms. All three boys attained the Eagle Scout Award and Chantry attained high ratings in Girl Scouts.

Doc and Helen still reside in Moville. Helen’s activities have included being a member of the Sioux City YWCA Advisory Board, Planned Parenthood Board, Sunday School and Bible School teacher, Boy Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Women's Club, Iowa State University Legislative Contact Program, Pi Beta Phi Alumni Club, Terrace Hill Society, and the Auxiliaries of the Veterinary Medical Association, St. Luke's Hospital, Abu Bekr and Eastern Star. They have supported numerous community initiatives and activities, including the Maxwell Memorial Remembrance Park and the Masonic Lodge in Moville, Iowa.

Helen has had a lifelong interest in child development. She has taken additional classes in Montessori schooling and has supported the Child Development Library at Iowa State University. Helen and Doc have supported the Salisbury House Foundation, World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa and Employee and Family Resources located in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as others.

Helen and Doc are members of the President’s Circle of the Order of the Knoll at Iowa State University. Helen is also a member of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences’ Ring of Life Giving Society. They are active in the Iowa State University Alumni Association and the Iowa State University Achievement Fund Drive for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Helen and Doc are strong supporters of the Cyclone football program and were the 1977 Parents of the Year.

Helen and Doc have always had an interest in traveling, in order to broaden their world view and experience other cultures. They have traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world, visiting all 50 states and 125 countries.

Submitted on 6/15/94; updated on 5/1/2014

Paver Inscription:

"Helen Logan
Maxwell
Moville, Iowa"