Helen Meeder

Helen Eileen (King) Meeder passed away at Meadowbrook Care Facility in Bellaire, Tuesday, November 20, 2007. A resident of Antrim County for 60 years, she died peacefully, surrounded by her family. The eldest daughter of Earle and Nina (VanBuskirk) King, Helen was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Indiana before moving to Potterville, Michigan. After graduating from Lansing Central High School in 1932 (she was 6th in her class), she embarked on her nursing career and received her RN diploma from Sparrow Hospital in Lansing in 1935. In 1936 she married Ronald T. Meeder and worked as a nurse in Lansing while they raised Terry, Tim and MariAn, then in 1947 they moved the family to Mancelona, where Ron established Meeder's Lumber. Helen was very involved in her community, actively supporting their lumber company, the Rotary Club, Antrim County Red Cross, the DNR, Meadowbrook, the Juniper Garden Club in Alden and she enjoyed her regular "stitch and bitch" group. Helen was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a wonderful sister and a generous friend. She loved family, nature, gardening, watching the lake, collecting Petoskey stones and "pretty posies and pansies". She was a great cook, who made amazing peanut brittle, fantastic popcorn and always had a cookie jar full for any visitor or sweet dog that came to call. In the summer she could be found in the garden in her bare feet, fingernails dirty from digging in the soil. You just had to listen for the sound of her clear, beautiful whistling to find her, it was instantly recognizable. Helen was a tireless friend, using her personal and nursing skills for the betterment of others, often quietly and privately. For years she drove to Mancelona "to shoot Lola", so that her friend wouldn't have to leave her home for her monthly injections. She frequently would take flowers to others that might need a smile. She liked home-cooked food and doing delicate handiwork, especially embroidery. All of her grandchildren and every great-grand were greeted with a pile of embroidered diapers and a loving lap. Helen even helped deliver one of her great grandchildren over the phone! Helen is survived by her children: Tim and Bonnie Meeder of Bellaire; MariAn and Ray Huhn of St. Ignace and her grandchildren: Terry Gene Meeder (c. Whitney and Chelsea); Susan K. Meeder (c. Travis Adle); Paul and Manuela Meeder; Jeff and Andrea (Meeder) Stratton (c. Jacob); Shannon Meeder (c. Francesca); Mitch and Shelly Meeder (c. Ian and Allison); Wendie (Huhn) Waha (c. Jaimen, Christopher, Alex and Olivia Waha); Kevin Huhn; Jim and Rachel Huhn (c. Gabrielle). She leaves her sister Margaret (Ron) Fiandt of Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ron (1997), her son Terry L. Meeder (1998) and her sister Florence Beam (2004). Viewing is at Mortensen's Funeral Home in Bellaire Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 3-5 p.m. Service will be Monday, November 26, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at Mortensen's in Bellaire. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Custer Township, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and son. Contributions may be made in Helen Meeder's name to Meadowbrook or a charity of your choice. Please sign out online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com