Herta M. Helmers
Herta M. Helmers, 100, of Palmer, IA passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the Pocahontas Community Hospital. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Palmer with burial follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Gunderson Funeral Home – Weishaar Chapel in Manson.
Herta was born in Luisenthal, Ospreussen, (East Prussia) Germany on July 9, 1924 to Herman and Marie (Reske) Droese. She grew up attending school in Muhlhausen Ospreussen. In 1934 she was selected by her school to present flowers to the newly elected Chancellor of Germany. In 1945 she fled her homeland and found refuge in Osfriesland, Germany. There she met Helmer Helmers and they were united in marriage on her birthday July 9, 1949 in Munkeboe, Ostfriesland, Germany. In 1952 they emigrated to the United States and settled in the Palmer area. She was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was a homemaker and worked at the Palmer Consolidated School for many years. She enjoyed cooking and was known as the “World’s Best Cook”. She also loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Herta is survived by her children Rita Helmers of Palmer, IA; Douglas (Joan) Helmers of Palmer, IA; Alan (Jean) Helmers of Fort Dodge; grandchildren Greg Helmers of North Liberty, IA; Angie (Nate) Mayer of Melvin, IA; Allison (Nick) Cooper of Pocahontas, IA; David Helmers of Pocahontas, IA; great-grandchildren Alicia and Andrew Helmers; Cainan, Teagan, Emersyn and Jagger Cooper; Elliott, Hattie and Jack Mayer; Lennie, Levi and Liv Helmers and great-great-grandson Maverick Crampton. She was preceded in death by her husband Helmer; infant son Peter; grandson Brian Helmers; sisters Frieda Noeske and Margarete Schicht; and her brother Kurt Droese all of Germany.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.