Helen Springer

Helen Margaret Springer was a woman of kindness, compassion, and determination. She spent her days seeing that others were taken care of, always eager to lend a hand to someone in need. As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Helen never stopped working hard for the people she loved.

Helen's story began on a crisp spring day in 1917, as winter snows melted to make way for the new growth of blossoming flowers. Just as the seasons were changing, so were the lives of Guy Irving and Ella Edith (Greer) Douglas in Seaton, Illinois. They were expecting the birth of their fourth child, who was born on the 13th of April and given the beautiful name Helen Margaret.

Growing up on the family farm with her three older siblings Edwin, Marian, and Lois, Helen learned quickly how to help out with farm work and didn't shy away from the tough jobs. She grew into a determined young lady, playing softball at Seaton High School and fulfilling the role of resident tomboy. Helen was not easily held back by anyone, and she always completed any task she set out to do. After graduating from high school in 1935, Helen moved to the lively city of Chicago to attend college at Broadview Adventist Academy.

In 1937 Helen made another move, this time to Vicksburg, Michigan, where she began helping the Rupert family run their funeral home. Helen had a beautiful voice, and would often sing at funerals, helping families through their difficult times with soothing and calming melodies to carry them along. She did whatever was necessary to help in any way she could.

It was during her time at the funeral home that Duane Rupert would set Helen up with a friend, Robert Springer. The two quickly felt a connection, especially since Bob was crazy about her red hair. Despite Bob and his buddies serenading her with a song, the mortified Helen decided to marry him anyway. The couple was married on April 30, 1939 back at Helen's family farm in Seaton. After a short honeymoon at Niagara Falls, they returned to Vicksburg. Four years later they were blessed with a baby girl, Karla. Three years later they celebrated the birth of a son, Doug.

In addition to working at the funeral home, Helen was also a dental assistant for Dr. Stanley Yates before she began working for Michigan Gas and Electric and while Bob was away in Germany during World War II, Helen worked as a postal clerk. Helen always was willing to step up and take on many responsibilities. She eventually began working for Simpson Lee Paper Company, where she was a Lab Technician. She worked there for almost 26 years before her retirement in 1982. Helen was an extremely hard worker, which stayed with her from her days on the family farm. It was this work ethic that took her so many places and earned her so much respect from her colleagues.

When she had a spare moment, Helen loved to bowl and spend time with her family. She spent much of her time in her garden--a place that was a calming sanctuary for her. An avid cook, Helen enjoyed preparing meals for her family, especially the tradition of Sunday dinner. Two of her favorite foods to eat were pizza and Karla's macaroni and cheese, and she was always the one to bring pies to family functions. Helen took pride in her family and lived to care for them, especially spoiling her grandchildren and showing them unconditional love.

Helen and Bob enjoyed traveling together. They went to Army reunions and several square dance conventions with their good friends Bud and Helen Goldsmith. Helen also loved crossword puzzles and word jumbles as well as board games of all kinds. She was always ready to play.

Helen enjoyed many years with her family and her loved ones. Sadly, she passed away on July 9, 2008, at the age of 91.

Helen Margaret Springer was known by her family as a saint. She would do anything for anyone, always looking to contribute to the happiness of others. With a constant smile on her face, Helen had a sensitivity to others that goes unmatched. She lived her life in the service of others, and will be so dearly missed by all who knew her.

Learn more about Helen, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel, 409 S. Main. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the same location. Helen is survived by Husband: Robert; two children: Karla Stubblefield, of Portage, Doug (Jan) Springer of Vicksburg; three Grandchildren: Diana Pomeroy, of Vicksburg; Kristin Springer, of Vicksburg; Ken Springer, of Bloomington, IL; one great granddaughter: Holli Tosch, of Alpena; many nieces and nephews and special cousins Katharine Jones, of Aledo, IL; Marilyn Durham, of Vicksburg. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Edwin Douglas; two sisters, Marian Hunter, Lois Walters; one son-in-law Ola (Stubby) Stubblefield. Please visit Helen’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to the West Michigan Cancer Center or Borgess VNA Hospice.