Helen Erhardt of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Saturday,
August 12, 2023 at Raybrook Manor with her family by her side. She was born on August 3, 1934
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Clinton and Ruth Jones.
She met her future husband, Ed, when his best friend introduced them while she was working
at Buth's Dairy. They married in 1954. They had five children. The family spent weekends in the
summer at Poverty Knob and created many wonderful memories. Helen was a stay at home
mom, until her youngest child was a senior in high school. She went back to work as a sales
associate for JCPenney Co., where she worked for several years. Up until a few years ago,
they spent their winters in Carlsbad, New Mexico. They were married for 69 years.
Helen was a fighter who overcame many hardships in her life, yet you never heard her complain.
She had a strong faith in the Lord, which fueled her resiliency and her positive outlook on life.
She knew no strangers and made friends everywhere she went. She found great joy in her
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would spend Saturday nights at Family
Feast at her daughter's house playing card games and board games. She loved country line
dancing and in her later years taught others. She loved when her family and friends came to
visit.
Helen will be missed by her husband, Ed; Her children: Linda (Jack) Ward, Ruth (Ken) Piccard,
Kathy (Ron) Mapes, Tony (Lea) Erhardt, and Ed (Shelley) Erhardt ; her 9 grandchildren and 10
great grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marilyn Veltman.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on August
28, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft Ave, Caledonia, Michigan. Fr. Philip
Shangraw will be presiding. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the service.
If desired, family and friends may make contributions to Holy Family Catholic Church in memory
of Helen.