Helen Ann Monroe

On August 27th, 2007, Helen (Frandsen) Monroe passed suddenly at her home in Hastings, Michigan. Helen was the daughter of the late Einar and Gertrude Frandsen of Hastings, Michigan, and the sister of the late Philip (Esther) Frandsen of Spring Lake, Michigan. \r

She is survived by her loving husband, Eugene Monroe and her children Steven (Janice) Leonhardt of West Bloomfield Michigan, Philip (Sandra) Leonhardt of McAllen, Texas, Catherine (Thomas) Weir of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mark (Kimberly) Leonhardt of Highland, Michigan, and Elizabeth (Gary) Suydam of Dundee, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her former husband Harry P. Leonhardt of Pontiac, Michigan, also surviving are her stepchildren Catherine Bergum of Grayling, Michigan, Jeffery (Becky) Monroe of Spruce, Michigan, and Laura (Roger) Denhart of St. Joseph, Illinois. Helen was the proud grandmother of twenty four grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.\r

Helen was born December 18th, 1934 in Ionia, Michigan, and was raised in Hastings, Michigan. She graduated in 1952 from Hastings High School with high honors.\r

As a resident of Walled Lake, Michigan, she continued her education at Oakland Community College, earning her nursing degree. Her registered nursing career began in Oakland County, Michigan, and continued until her retirement in 1998 from the Barry County Community Hospice.\r

With family and friends, Helen enjoyed her summers at Oakwood and winters in Fort Meade, Florida. She celebrated her life by caring and cooking for her loved ones. In Hastings, she enjoyed being a member of the Pennock Hospital Guild #39.\r

Helen worshipped her Lord with her family at the Hastings Emmanuel Episcopal Church and the Thornapple Valley Church of Hastings.\r

Services for Helen will be held Saturday, September 1st, 2007, at the Thornapple Valley Church at 2750 S. M-43 Highway in Hastings, Michigan 49058-0188, (269)948-2549. The family will receive visitors at the church from 11:00 a.m., with a service celebrating her life at 12:00 noon.\r

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in her name to the Barry Community Hospice 450 Meadow Run Drive, Hastings, Michigan, 49058-0188. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).