Helen L. Lander
March 21, 1928 – August 22, 2020
In lieu of a memorial service, Helen will be remembered by friends and family everywhere. Cremation has taken place and Helen’s ashes will be interred in the Columbarium at the First Presbyterian Church Kalamazoo. Contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of choice.
Obituary
Miss Helen Louise Lander, age 92, died on August 22, 2020 at home in the Fountains located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born on March 21, 1928, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Leroy and Dorothy Lander. Helen graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1946. She received a B.S. degree from Western Michigan University in Health and Physical Education in 1950. Upon graduation from Western Michigan University, Helen taught physical education in Traverse City for two years. During summers while teaching in Traverse City, she studied dance and also began work on a medical master’s degree in Administration and Supervision of Public Health at the University of Michigan. After teaching in Traverse City, she moved to Ann Arbor to complete work on her master’s degree. She then taught physical education at Battle Creek Central High School for a year and half. From there, she moved to Piedmont, California where she taught Modern Dance at the Piedmont High School. She returned to a Kalamazoo where she taught physical education at Kalamazoo Central High School, becoming head of the physical education department and later, a counselor.
Helen played the cello with the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony while she was in high school. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Kalamazoo where she belonged to the Dunning Guild. She also was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and A.A.U.W.
Helen was a fun loving person with a great sense of humor. She loved cats, her church, her family, her friends, her cottage on Lake Michigan and playing bridge.
Miss Lander was my counselor at Kalamazoo Central and is remembered fondly as a pleasant, caring lady.
Helen was my mentor at K-Central when I first moved from the classroom to a counseling position in mid-year of the 1970-71 school year. We shared common offices in a busy area of the first floor of old KC. This was a challenging time during the Civil Rights Movement and everyone needed as much support as they could get. Helen and I formed a friendship which lasted the years although I am sad that I did not see her in recent years. Even though I had a great friendship with Helen, I was not aware of her amazing early life experiences. What a girl! The world is a better place because of people like Helen Lander……..
Helen will be remembered fondly by family. We spent many holidays celebrating together. Helen had an infectious laugh that always brought a smile to everyone’s face. Her cabin on Lake Michigan was a beautiful place to visit and search for petoskey stones. Here’s to hoping Helen is sipping a Manhattan and listening to the waves roll in to shore. Rest In Peace.