Helen Derenzy

Helen (Oliver) Derenzy, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

She was born August 10, 1925 to William and Marie (Thompson) Oliver. She attended the Central Lake school. She worked at a bomber plant during the war.

On June 19, 1948 she married Karl Derenzy in Traverse City. To them were born children Lynda and Stanley.

Helen served as Kearney Township Treasurer for some years, operated a foster care home for many years, obtained her real estate license and enjoyed bowling on a league in Bellaire. She enjoyed many crafts - oil painting, wood carving, knitting, upholstery and sewing. She was a skilled seamstress and made daughter Lynda's wedding dress. They beaded it together.

Helen greatly enjoyed her trips - "out west" with her cousin Vivian Blasdell, to Florida to visit her sisters, and to Hawaii to visit her school chum Betty (Morse) McPherson and husband Harold.

Helen attended Grace Community Church. She had a quick wit and was known as "Grammy" to her precious grandchildren Courtenay and Jessica Brown. Her great-granddaughter Piper was a joy to her.

Helen is survived by her daughter Lynda (Jim) Brown of Bellaire; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; siblings Harold (Janet) Oliver of Central Lake, Nina Pallister of Hermitage, Tennessee, sister-in-law Fern Oliver of Central Lake.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents William and Marie Oliver, siblings Doris Dawson, Howard Oliver, Ruth Purdy, Betty Zook, sister-in-law Bernice Oliver, and her beloved son Stanley.

Friends may call at Grace Community Church in Central Lake on Friday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12 with the Rev. Max Tracy officiating. Burial will be in Southern Cemetery in Central Lake.

The family was served by Hastings Funeral Home in Ellsworth, online at www.hastingsfuneral.com.