Helen A. Herrnstadt (1928-2015)

HERRNSTADT, CROSBY, GRUNDMAN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/26/2015 at 10:16:44

Obituary from the Argus Leader, Tucson, Arizona, published July 12, 2015:

Helen A. Herrnstadt passed away July 8, 2015, in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 87. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Richard.

Helen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 20, 1928. She attended the University of Wisconsin and earned a degree in Speech Pathology and Elementary education in 1949.

She was a school speech correctionist in Lisle, IIlinois, until she and Richard were married in Chicago on June 18, 1950. They lived in Maryland where Richard was in graduate school. In 1954, they moved to Ames, Iowa.

For over 45 years, Helen was a leader in the Ames arts community. She acted and directed in productions for Iowa State University Theater, A.C.T.O.R.S., Cheese and Puppets, and the Ames Women's Theater, which she co-founded in 1976. Her credits include, Linda in "Death of a Salesmen," Mrs. Soames in "Our Town," Beatrice in "Man in the Moon Marigolds," Yenta in "Fiddler on the Roof," as well as numerous other productions.

She held a position with Iowa State University as an Academic Advisor in the College of Letters and Sciences from 1968 until her retirement in 1991.

After retiring from I.S.U., she moved with Richard to Tucson, Arizona, in 1995, where she continued her involvement in volunteer activities.

In addition to Richard, she is survived by her children, Steven Herrnstadt and his wife, Mary, of Ames, IA; Ellen "Sara" Herrnstadt Crosby and her husband, Daniel, of Sioux Falls, SD; and Owen Herrnstadt and his wife, Stacey Grundman, of Bethesda, MD. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Zachary, Evan (his wife Karen) and Caitlin Herrnstadt; Iain, Cameron and Tessa Crosby; and Eli and Dana Herrnstadt.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.