Helen E. Metz

Helen E. Metz, 92 of Devils Lake, ND entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Helen will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Bruce Dick will officiate and burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Cando, ND. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers will be: Tim Fellows, Dave Fix, Alan Gulsvig, Don Herman, Dwayne Herman and Dr. Russ Petty. Music will be cared for by Dr. Rollin Herman and Michelle Herman. Helen E. Metz was born on August 11, 1913 at Underwood, ND the daughter of A. Carl and Cora (Standish) Metz. She attended school there and then attended Minot Teacher’s College where she received her teaching certificate. She taught first grade for a time at Underwood, Tagus, Overly, York and Devils Lake before going to Guatemala and Honduras working as a Missionary Teacher. Her job was to teach the children of Missionaries. This entailed more than a teacher’s usual workload since many of the parents were Missionaries in the Field. Therefore Helen was on duty all the time. Her students endearingly called her “Aunt Helen,” and she maintained lifetime relationships with many of those youngsters (who are now grown and have families of their own). When Helen returned to the United States in 1961 she came back to Devils Lake and made this her home through the years. She taught first grade in the Devils Lake Public Schools (Sweetwater, Prairie View and Minnie H) until her retirement. Helen always taught first grade because she loved the eagerness and openness of the children. After retirement, Helen did teach for one year in Puebla, Mexico and the following year she returned to Honduras and visited the same school she helped start twenty five years earlier. Helen was an active member of Bethel Free Evangelical Church and served on the Missionary Board and assisted with MOPS. (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) She was a very active member of RSVP, helping at Good Samaritan Center, Skyview, Senior Center, Meals on Wheels and Lake Country Manor. Helen was known for her charming sense of humor and cheerful attitude that warmed the hearts of those about her. Her love of music was another way to bring joy to those around her. When in Guatemala she organized, coached and accompanied a quartet that performed often at community events. Helen’s warm and caring heart and her unselfish giving of her time to those in need will never be forgotten. Helen is survived by many dear and loving friends. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Harold. Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com