Helga I. Gerring

1925 - 2013

Helga I. Gerring, 88, of South Boardman passed away peacefully April 24, 2013 at home with her loving family present. Helga was born the youngest of six daughters on March 11, 1925 to Soren Mikle and Metha (Raven) Rolle of South Boardman.
In January of 1944, Helga traveled by train from Chicago, where she worked as a telephone operator during WWII, to DeRiddler, La. to marry Glen W. Gerring. Helga and Glen observed their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary on January 14 at their home in South Boardman where they have lived for most of their lives.
Mrs. Gerring worked outside the home for many years until her children were grown. She especially enjoyed jobs that included loving and caring for young children. She was a sixty one year member of the Gardner-Neihardt Unit #463 American Legion Auxiliary, the Community of Christ Church in Traverse City, the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter # 189 in Manton, the Boardman Area Senior Citizens, and also attended the South Boardman United Methodist Church for many years.
Mrs. Gerring is survived by her husband Glen; daughters, Greta Sheffer Hall of South Boardman and Marilyn Graham of Sonora, Calif.; son-in-law, Elwin Hall; sister, Grace Wood of South Boardman; nephew, Robert Evers of Greencastle, Ind.; and sister -in-law, Peggy Gerring of South Boardman; grandchildren, Michael Sheffer (Teri), Anne Sheffer, Gerrin Graham (Kristen), Hilary Graham, Brett Hall (Happiness), and Amber McGuigan (Jason); great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Soren-Mikel, Braedon and Eowyn Sheffer, Gemma Graham, Quentin, Roman and Hunter Porterfield, and Joshua and Caitlyn Hall; along with thirty nieces and nephews that called her Aunt Helga. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Elna Evers, Martha Hull, Agnes Galletti, and Helen Johnson; nephew Jack Evers; and her sons-in-law, Curtis Graham and Robert Sheffer.
The funeral service took place on Monday, April 29 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Kalkaska Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Mitchell of South Boardman United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will take place at Boardman Township Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Helga to the South Boardman United Methodist Church, the South Boardman Area Senior Center, or to a charity of your choice.
Please leave condolences and memories at Helga's online guestbook at www.kalkaskafuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.