Helen L. Vierk
Helen Louise Vierk, age 95, of Charlotte, died peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2020, in Marshall. Helen was born October 22, 1924, in Vermontville, the daughter of Boyer and Hazel (Wells) Rickle. She graduated from Vermontville High School in 1942 and enrolled in comptometer classes at Lansing Community College. Helen married Lee Vierk on September 13, 1947, and the two started their life together on the farm. She worked six years at Oldsmobile before going to work full-time alongside Lee on their “3000 layer” egg farm. Helen was a co-founder of the Spaulding 4H Club and a life member of Michigan Farm Bureau. She volunteered countless hours to the Eaton County Fair, as well as with the Eaton County Adult Handicap Programs. In her personal time, Helen loved sewing and crocheting and time outdoors in her flower gardens. She and Lee also enjoyed traveling, including winters in Texas, a caravan through Mexico to Cancun and a Caribbean cruise to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They were 35-year members of the Good Sam RV Club. Following Lee’s death in 2010, Helen managed on her own, having breakfast everyday at Big Boy and a McDonald’s cheeseburger every night for dinner. Above all, Helen loved her family.
She is survived by her son, Larry (Diana) Vierk of Charlotte; daughters, Janet Bowers of Olivet and Brenda Vierk of Lansing; six grandchildren, Mark (Denise) Vierk, Chris (Nicole) Vierk, Tracie (Chris) Portillo, Chanda (Todd) Aves, Matt (Kyleigh Kunkel) Bowers and Melissa (Bruce) Carpenter; 18 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Wood; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Lee; brothers, Douglas Rickle and Bob Rickle; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and her parents.
Friends are encouraged to support Helen’s family. Funeral services were held January 28, 2020, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Interment took place in Kalamo Hillside Cemetery. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Helen on her tribute page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.