Helen Marie Derr

Helen Marie Derr

1930 - 2025

Helen Marie Derr passed away November 21 at St. Joseph, MO. She was born on January 29, 1930, at Fairfax to William and Selma Smith.

Helen grew up in a big family during the Depression and attended grade school at one room country schools. She graduated from Mound City High School and attended Gard Business University.

On September 16, 1947, she married LeRoyce Derr in St. Joseph. They lived on a farm all of their married life raising their three sons.

Helen was happy to be a stay at home mother where busy activities included cub scout den mother, 4-H leader, and school room mother.

When her children were all in school, she went to work for the MO Division of Family Services as a clerk stenographer. She retired 28 years later as a Children's Services Worker. Helen especially liked working with foster children.

Helen was a member of the First Christian Church of Mound City, serving as one of the first women elected as elder of the church, where she remained an Elder Emeritus until her passing.

LeRoyce and Helen traveled extensively including multiple trips to Europe, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and most of the continental United States.

She loved and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband LeRoyce who passed on October 13, 2004, and her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her brothers: Joe D, Eldon, Wayne, Herschel, William, and Raymond who died in infancy, and sisters: Erma Hinkle, Ruby Shunkwiler, Mildred Diggs, Dorothy Moss, Miriam Noland, Wilma Shockley, Mary Gallagher, and Barbara Scarbrough.

Helen is survived by her sons: LeRoyce, Jr (Mary Jo), Bradenton, FL, Steven (Sandy), St. Joseph, and Randy (fiance' Becky), Mound City; grandchildren: Lindsay, Tyler (fiance' Carlea), Grant (Abby), Savanah (Dylan), and Conner; great-grandchildren: Lane, Avery, Khloe, and Penelope. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, First Christian Church, Mound City. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mound City, Missouri. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. The family suggests memorial contributions may be directed to the First Christian Church at 402 E 5th St, Mound City. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.