Helga Freida (Oltersdorf) Kehrer

“The Life & Entering into Rest of Mrs. Helga Kehrer (nee Oltersdorf) on June 11, 2025”

Helga Freida Kehrer, of Marion, Michigan, entered into rest at age 92, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan.

Helga F. Kehrer, born on December 8, 1932, in Bay City, Michigan, to Otto and Freida (Ganzel) Oltersdorf, wedded Richard Frances Kehrer on September 22, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Wayne, Michigan. They had four children together.

Helga had a true talent for crocheting, knitting, quilting and embroidery.  She hand-crafted countless gifts for family and friends throughout her years, including pieces for St. Agnes Catholic Church of Marion, Michigan and pieces for the United States Military, or as she would say, “Our Boys.”

During younger motherhood with her then-younger children, she actively involved herself in community activities.  She volunteered with the Scouts as a den mother and enjoyed camping with them and attending pack meetings, ceremonies, and banquets. She kept score for little league baseball, while cheering on their teams.  Mrs. Kehrer also attended little league football games and led cheerleaders. She also involved herself with school activities as a band-booster. 

Helga loved family campouts at Big Portage Lake State Park of Waterloo, Michigan and especially, the family’s favorite four-day-weekend camping tour of northern Michigan. The family cultivated and grew memories, stories, and details only the “Dick & Helga Kehrer Family” can appreciate.

During the 1970’s, Helga did something she always wanted to do: she graduated from high school and her diploma enabled her a certification as a Nursing Assistant.  She then worked at Autumnwood care home, of McBain, Michigan.

As years passed, Mrs. Kehrer along with her husband, “Dick,” cherished time with family, extended family, and friends while attending each invite to events and celebrations, such as weddings, showers, graduations, birthdays, retirement parties, and others, and often gifted her hand-made works. She looked forward to summertime gatherings at their Marion, Michigan home, where, during later days, the two of them spent most of their time. 

Helga is survived by her loving husband, Richard F. Kehrer, age 97; her four children, Mary Ann (nee Kehrer) (Gordon) Masura, Timothy Kehrer, Paul (Mary) Kehrer, and Charles (Karen) Kehrer; grandchildren include, Todd, Derek, Nicholas, Katie, Emily, Heather, Jason and Kevin. Mrs. Kehrer has numerous great-grandchildren & nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as many in-laws.  Her circle of friends includes many in the Marion area in church and in the Marion community.  She still has friends in the western Wayne County area.

Mrs. Kehrer was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Freida Oltersdorf, and her only sister and sibling, Katherine Troppman and loving nieces and nephews and many in-laws.

St. Agnes Catholic Church and Fosnaught-Holdship Funeral Home will conduct a Memorial Service for Mrs. Helga Kehrer on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, of Marion, Michigan. One-hour Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary; the Memorial Service, Officiated by Father David Jameson, will begin at 11:00 a.m.  Luncheon will follow at noon, also at the church.

Please feel free to post condolences and fond memories about Mrs. Kehrer to: www.Fosnaught-Holdship.com.

The family is being served by Fosnaught-Holdship Funeral Home.

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