Alderfer, Helen Wade (1919-2013)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2013 Oct 14 p. 21

Birth date: 1919 August 27, Illinois
Date of Death: 2013 September 15, Indiana

Obituary posted on Find A Grave:

GOSHEN, IN. — Helen (Wade) Alderfer, 94, of Waterford Crossing, Goshen, died Sept. 5, 2013. She was born Aug. 27, 1919, in Whiteside County, Sterling, Ill., to Clark Wade and Mary Graber Conrad Wade. Helen grew up on the family farm and graduated from Sterling High School and Goshen College. She married Edwin Stover Alderfer on Aug. 12, 1944, in Sterling. He died in 2004.

Surviving are one brother, Harold C. Wade; and four daughters, Ann (Ned Kauffman), Faith (Rod Summer), Mary (Merle Snyder) and Amy (Steve Bell). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Seth Kauffman, Greta Kauffman, Chase Snyder and Sophie Snyder; and four great-grandchildren.

Her son, Eric Alderfer, is deceased.

Helen, along with her husband, Ed, was active with the Mennonite Church in Canton, Ohio, and Barto, Fla., (Civilian Public Service Camp), the Philippine Islands (Mennonite Central Committee), the mission church and school in Culp, Ark., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale, Pa., Kingview and North Scottdale churches in Scottdale, Pa., and College Mennonite Church in Goshen. Helen taught for 11 years and was an editor for the Mennonite Publishing House for 25 years, working with publications including Christian Living magazine and On The Line. Her work also involved her in the wider church, where she served on the Faith, Life and Strategy Commission, with the Mennonite Central Committee Board and in conference offices. She led adult retreats and met children in school settings. A collection of her poems, “The Mill Grinds Fine,” was published in 2008.

Helen willed her body to the IU Medical School. A memorial stone in West Goshen Cemetery for Helen and Ed includes a haiku written by Helen: “Two who loved the earth and all its riches, have heard the call and gone home.”

A memorial service will take place Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at College Mennonite Church in Goshen. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Sterling, Illinois
Daughter of Clark and Mary Graber (Conrad) Wade
Married Edwin Stover Alderfer
Church worker, editor for Mennonite Publishing House

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
Individual -- 1970, editor, On the Line

Sources:
Find A Grave 144746465, obituary