On April 18, 2025, Helen Holler went to be with her Lord and Savior after a lengthy illness. Her family was at her bedside.
Helen was born Helen Margaret Birt to Howard Burdett and Florence Mae (Swartz) Birt on October 19, 1944, in Muncie, IN. She was the youngest of three children. Helen graduated from Madison Heights High School in Anderson, Indiana, in 1962. Helen married Larry Kent Holler on August 8, 1965. Helen and Larry were happily married for over 54 years. They had two children. Helen taught at Mississinawa Valley Elementary School from 1973 until her retirement in 2000.
Helen was a voracious reader. She would always have a book with her to read. Helen and her husband were very avid campers. When they first got married, they had a two-man tent to camp in. The last camping trip they took was in a Class A Winnebago Vista.
From 1976 until 1982, Helen and her husband were directors at the YWCA Summer camp in northern Indiana. Camp Sing-A-Long was their summer home those years and many family memories and relationships were forged in those years. After that, they spent two years directing a summer camp for deaf children.
After retirement Helen and Larry would take various camping trips. Their travel took them to 46 of the lower 48 states. On many of these trips they would take their bicycles and explore the local area on bike. Several times they built memories with their grandsons with whom they took with them on their trips.
Helen is survived by her son, Christopher (Menna) Holler and her daughter Jennifer (Doug) Retz. She had seven grandchildren Gage (fiancé Madison) Retz, Kent (Lindsy) Retz, Macie Cline, Paige Holler, Caleb, Brittany, and Samuel McGregor. She had 7 great-grandchildren: Jedaiah, Ronan, and Avery Retz, Mason Cadieux, Kyler Holler, and Coen and Amelia Wilkins. She was also survived by her brother Donald (Shirley) Birt and sister-in-law Karen Holler. She had 4 nieces and nephews, Kirk (Teresa) Smith, Eric (Angela) Smith, David (Sarah) Birt, and Lara (Robert) Neilson. She had her trusted companion, Sassy, as well.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents Howard and Florence Birt, husband Larry Holler, her sister Nancy Smith, her brother-in-law Paul Smith, and her brother-in-law Ron Holler.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Brockman Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Coldwater.
Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11:00 AM until the start of the service at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mercer County Cancer Association or Community Health Professionals Home Health and Hospice.
Helen’s family would like to extend extra gratitude to Dr. Michelle Winner and her office staff and CHP Home Health Hospice for going above and beyond in caring for her.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com
