Helen White

TRAVERSE CITY — Helen Geraldine White, 83, a life-long resident of Lake Ann, was called to be with the Lord she loved, on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2010, at Munson Medical Center, following a brief illness. Her singing voice will be heard in the Heavens, now as our beautiful angel has gone home.Born July 6, 1927, in Almira Corners in Almira Township, Benzie County, she was the daughter of the late William M. and Esther M. (White) Morse. The Morses were early settlers of the Lake Ann area.She was raised on the family farm and learned to work hard at an early age. Helen attended country schools then graduated from Honor High School. After graduation she worked at a local dime store and Traverse City State Hospital.She loved music, joining the choir at Lake Ann Methodist Church as a teenager. Helen had a beautiful voice and was an accomplished soloist. She, along with her mother, sister and brother conducted many sing-a-longs at area nursing homes and other venues for many years.Helen married Ole A. White on Dec. 4, 1946, in Almira Township. She was a farm wife all her married life, raising five daughters and helping wherever possible on the farm including fixing meals for farm workers and harvesting crews.Helen loved and enjoyed her flower gardens and with her creative eye created beautiful hand pressed greeting cards using some of those flowers. She loved looking out her windows to watch the many varieties of birds that visited her bird feeders. Helen loved Walt Disney World and enjoyed several trips there with her family.She was a good example of a Christian woman who lived her faith daily by truly being the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth. She was a passionate and loyal friend. Helen mothered many besides her own brood. She thoroughly loved family gatherings and enjoyed very much having her family close by. Helen was loved dearly and will be missed by many on this earth but welcomed by many in heaven.Helen was active in Lake Ann Methodist Church and women's groups for over 60 years and was also active in Woodside Wesleyan Church.Her memberships included, Benzie Area Order of the Eastern Star #405, Benzie Area Historical Society, Almira Historical Society and Almira Citizens for Preservation and was a long-time member of Internationally Yours, a women's friendship club, and held many offices in these organizations. She was a staunch supporter of human rights and sponsored African orphans and widows through the Hearth to Hearth Ministries Her sweet and gentle soul was loved by all who knew her.Helen is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Ole Andrew White, of Lake Ann; caring daughters, Elizabeth (Richard) Dumbrille, Jane White, Jean (Phillip) Johnson, Sue White and Valerie LoCicero, all of Lake Ann; adoring grandchildren; Paul Irish, Heather Irish, Brent Johnson, Brandi Johnson, Jennifer Tandy, Angela LoCicero, Emily White and Andrew White; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, James K. (Patricia) Morse, of Lake Ann and William J. (Erika) Morse, of Traverse City; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many other people special to her including Lori Carpenter, Carol Leite and Chris Convissor.In addition to her parents, Helen was also preceded in death by a sister, Jean (Russ) Rosa; sister-in-law, Jane Nelson; and an infant son.Friends are welcomed to visit with the family at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m.An Eastern Star Service followed by Funeral Services will be held at the Old Lake Ann United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Devon H. Herrell and Rev. Roger Sian officiating. Burial will take place in the spring of 2011 at Greenbriar Cemetery in Almira Township.Those wishing to extend an expression of sympathy may consider a gift to Munson Hospice House, Almira Township Beach Fund, Hearth to Hearth Ministries, or to Lake Ann United Methodist Church Food Pantry.Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.Arrangements were made with Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Helen White

December 25, 2010