Helen Sylvia Schoenherr

Helen Sylvia Schoenherr (nee Biermann), 98, of Richmond, MI, passed away on November 2, 2024, at her home. She was born December 24, 1925, in Warren, MI, the daughter of Joseph L. Biermann and Julia M. Biermann (nee DeFour). Helen married Clement J. (Jack) Schoenherr, on May 3, 1947, in Utica, MI. She and Jack were married 58 years, until his death in 2005. She once said that she’d had other suitors but chose Jack because “he was the best one.” Helen was a pie maker and made all the pies for her wedding, which at the time was an all-day family-filled affair. She had a brush with fame when she won the blue ribbon for her rhubarb custard pie at a festival with all the local rhubarb growers in 1962, at nine-months pregnant with her fourth child! Jack and Helen grew up on neighboring farms along Schoenherr Road between 15- and 16-mile Roads and started their family on a farm on 21 Mile Road between Schoenherr and Hayes roads. In 1960, they purchased a 64-acre farm in Richmond, growing multiple types of vegetables and continuing the trade of "truck gardening" that they’d grown up with as children on Detroit’s Eastern Market. Helen secured a place at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market in 1960, where the “Lettuce Lady” became known for the quality of her produce and for her multiple lettuce varieties, until retiring in 2002. Jack and Helen raised five children on the Richmond farm and Helen was able to live independently in her home, with the help of her children, until her passing. She and Jack were both strong in their Catholic faith, attending mass at St. Augustine’s every week, with Helen later enjoying the televised mass and praying the rosary daily. They had a wide circle of friends with social activities that included Sunday visits, bowling, casino trips, Euchre, Pinochle, and Pepper. Playing card games was a big part of family gatherings and it was a treat to get partnered with Helen or Jack because about 80% of the time, that meant you were going to win...handily. Helen played cards with her friends on most Tuesdays, enjoyed her soap operas (first on the radio and then on tv) and reading books, keeping track of what she read and liked (or disliked) with her own unique rating system. Helen is survived by her children, John (Kathy), Joseph (Sue), Mary (John Hamberg), and Lynn, along with grandchildren Aaron (Jennifer), Barb (Dave Fekin), Stephanie (Shawn Hinterschied), Jonathan (Tiffany), Anne (Chase Tillman), Jacob Hamberg, and Lauren (Max Bloomquist). She was also a proud great-grandmother to Christopher, Heidi, Charlie, Jaxon, Logan, and Joey, and was looking forward to welcoming another in 2025. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Jenuwine, sister-in-law Virginia Biermann, and brother-in-law Raymond (Bill) LaPratt. Helen was predeceased by her daughter, Joyce, in 1973, her husband, Jack, in 2005, and seven siblings, Henry C. (Hank), Art, Joe, Bob, Marie Jenuwine, Larry, and Jean LaPratt.

Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024 and from 2:00-8:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at the Rewalt-Peshek Funeral Home, 68655 Stoecker Lane, Richmond, MI 48062. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Monday, November 11, 2024 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 68035 Main St, Richmond, MI 48062.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Helen’s name to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.