Helen Husted

Helen V. Husted, 80, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at home. A Celebration of Life is planned for 2:00 p.m. Saturday July 30, at the Masonic Center in Mt. Pleasant. A barbeque is planned so please bring your favorite dish to pass. Helen was born October 31, 1930, in Logan, Ohio, the daughter of Walter and Ellen (Woltz) Bowers. Helen was a vibrant spirit, a woman ahead of her time. She taught her children to be independent and that education was never a waste. She was spontaneous and her quick witted tongue and laughter could be easily brought to the front. She was an LPN for the State of Michigan at the Mt. Pleasant State Home and a supervisor there for many years. She worked tirelessly for the union and stood behind her employees. Helen (with other supervisors) successfully sued and won a lawsuit with the State of Michigan regarding supervisors being grandfathered in, that set the tone for all future negotiations. She was the first woman bus driver for the State of Michigan. She enjoyed taking clients to ski hills for snow sledding and shopping. Helen raised money for indigent client care needs by selling RADA cutlery. Helen was a mom to neighborhood children, stray animals, feeding those who needed to be fed, and teaching her children to care for the widow at the end of the alley by taking mason jars of soup to her. An ice rink was always in her backyard. She loved her home, playing cards at the Senior Center, coffee, Women of the Moose, eating, laughing and being with friends. She always wore lots of jewelry and loved to sparkle. Helen was able to die with dignity at home with the help of Dr. Sarvepalli, her daughter, Donna and her husband Don, and their children William, Helena and Joy who have cared for her the last 3 years. Helen is survived by her children, Doris Lorraine (Jimmy) Horrocks McCarthy of Everett, WA, Raymond Russell (Terry) Horrocks of Mt. Pleasant, Thomas Leon (Dorothy) Horrocks of Colorado, Michael Jay (Pat) Horrocks of Iowa and Donna Lea (Donald) Kriss of Mt. Pleasant; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; twin sisters, Gwen Lindhout of Manistee, Marvine (Al) Kadzban of Grandville; brother, Don Bowers of Hollywood, FL; special family friend, Robyn Weidemann, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Sterl, Ralph, Carl and Dale Bowers; sister, Wilma Fay Bowers Rhodea; Granddaughter Heather Horrocks. Helen also loved her siamese cat, Hope, who kept her company for years.