Helga F. Van Lopik, an 80-year resident of Lansing, died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005, in Greenville at the age of 103. She had been a resident of Green Acres of Greenville for the past year.
She was born May 17, 1902, at Sidney, the daughter of William C. and Mariane (Jennie) Larsen Hansen. The family moved to Greenville in 1910, and Helga graduated from Greenville High School in the class of 1922. She was employed by Western Union in Greenville and Lansing. An employee of the State of Michigan for 34 years, she was retired from the budget department. She was a longtime member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Lansing.
On June 14, 1958, she married Peter Van Lopik, who died March 14, 1967. Also preceding her in death were a sister, Theresa Richmond, in 1983, and a brother, Ray G. Hansen, in 1973.
Surviving are a nephew and his wife, Fred (Bill) and Audrey Richmond of Lachine;
a niece and her husband, Marcia and Lloyd Walker, Greenville; great-nieces and great-nephews and their families, Willow Richmond, and her children and grandchildren, Angela and Michael Riggs, Tanner and Morgan; Isaac VanderSchuur; Jennifer Richmond and her husband, Terry Bornemann, Aaron and Elliott Bornemann; Theresa and Michael Williams, Michael Jr. and Kristen Daniels Williams, David Williams and Joseph Williams; Mary McCaffery, John P. McCaffery and Harlan McCaffery ; John Walker; Paul and Vianney Walker, Benjamin and Samuel; Wendy and Ronald DeMaet, Katherine, Abigail and Veronica.
Throughout her life, Helga made lasting friendships and is survived by many loyal friends and caregivers.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Hurst Funeral Home in Greenville with burial in East Montcalm Cemetery. The Rev. Pamela Mathieu of Mount Hope United Methodist Church will officiate. The family will meet with friends at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Monday until time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Hope United Methodist Church, 501 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing MI 48910
