Helen (Herr) Benner (1925-2015)
BENNER, HERR, GASSMAN
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 11/26/2015 at 18:35:02
Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.
Helen Herr Benner was born on February 11, 1925 in St. Louis, MO, to Charles and Caroline Herr. She married William (Bill) Benner on June 30, 1949 in St. Louis. They moved briefly to Philadelphia, PA, but then followed a shared dream to escape city life for the rest of their lives, living in rural Pennsylvania, small-town Michigan, outer-outer-outer suburban St. Louis, and finally, Ames, IA. Along the way, they raised their two daughters, Barb and Susan.
Helen attended Washington University in St. Louis where she received a bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in chemistry. She worked as an at-home mother until her children were older, and then she worked as a laboratory technician for the plant pathology department at Iowa State University for 25 years, where she was highly respected by her colleagues and greatly appreciated as a mentor to numerous graduate students passing through the department. In 1992 she was awarded the Iowa State University Alumni Association Superior Service Award for her work there, and in 1997 she finally retired at the ripe old age of 72.
Helen loved gardening, baking, autumn, sunsets, full moons, open spaces, and most of all, her family. She had a profound sense of responsibility, a beautiful voice, and a warm heart for all. She was a believer in progressive politics and social justice, and while never a rabble-rouser, she fought quietly for causes of equality, justice, peace, and the environment. Most of all, she believed that ALL people are of equal value, regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual identity, or how much money they make or power they wield, or where they happen to live—and she instilled those values in others.
Helen passed away on October 23 at the age of 90 at Northcrest Community in Ames. She is survived by her two daughters, Barb Benner of Spokane, WA, and Susan Benner of Ames, and a brother, Eugene Herr of St. Louis, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill Benner, two brothers, Charles Herr, Jr. and Richard Herr, and her sister, Dorothy Gassman.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to The Nature Conservancy or to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR).
Celebration of Life
NOV 12. 06:00 PM
Collegiate Presbyterian Church
159 Sheldon Ave.
Ames, IA, US
http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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