ALPHA — Helen Berdean Richards, 83, Ames, died Saturday, April 21, 2001 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo of injuries suffered in a fall.

A Memorial Service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 24 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Richfield, with Rev. Milton D. Johnson officiating.

Interment was in the Alpha Cemetery.

Visitation was held Monday, April 23, at the Waucoma Funeral Chapel.

Helen . Berdean Lange was born Sept.6, 1917 at Alpha, the daughter of Herman ana Dehlia (Reisner) Lange. She graduated from Alpha High School in 1935. Helen worked in the Alpha and Lawler area until she was united in marriage with Gerald Richards on June 7, 1941 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stapleton. The couple lived in Rodman for one year and her husband was in the Coast Guard for a short time before they moved back to Alpha and began farming with his parents. They lived and farmed in the Alpha area until January 2001 when they moved to Ames to be with their daughter. On Friday, April 20, they returned to Alpha for a visit when Helen fell and suffered head injuries. She was a member of Eastern Star, enjoyed her family and was a seamstress.

Surviving are her husband Gerald; one son Alden (Karen), Waucoma; one daughter Susanne Fedeler and friend Kevin Watson, Ames; three grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Weidemann, Monona and Verna Schott, Topeka, KS.

Preceding her in death were her parents and one brother, Raymond.

Burnham-Wood Funeral Home, West Union, was in charge of arrangements.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Apr. 27, 2001 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters