Gerd Helmen, 90, of Evansville, IN., passed away in her home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 21, 2022. She was born on February 12, 1932 to the late Harald and Ingeborg (Tollefsen) Haraldsen.
Born and raised in Oslo, Norway she grew up in occupied Norway under the rule of Nazi Germany during WWII. During that time, she and her friends enjoyed watching American movies starring Esther Williams and Sonja Henie. After the war, she finished Oslo High School. She then worked as an AuPair for a prominent family in Oslo as she loved children.
On August 5, 1952, Gerd boarded the North American Line cruise ship for NYC to follow her fiancé, Gloer Bjorn Helmen, living in Cleveland, OH. She received an Honorary degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1953. Her first job was with Singers Sewing billing office in Cleveland, OH.
Gerd was a loving wife and mother and was always there to “hold the ladder” for us to climb and grow. She was always giving and cheerful, a lover of nature, IU basketball, playing cards, politics, reading, and a gourmet cook. The family vacationed in the Adirondack Mountains for 50 years and back to the homeland of Norway several times.
Gerd was preceded in death by her husband, Gloer; sister, Lillian Wold; and brother, Bjorn-David Haraldsen.
She is survived by her daughters, Aileen Helmen of Evansille, IN, Debbie Jamison (Mark) of Valparaiso, IN, Carol Helmen Breuklander, of Evansville, IN, Anita Helmen Leslie of Estero, FL, and Jennifer Helmen (JJ) of Louisville, KY; grandchildren, Megan Breuklander (Nick) of Evansville, IN, Neill Breuklander (Danielle) of Johnstown, CO, Christina Coros (Kevin) of Valparaiso, IN, Melissa Arbor of Hampton, VA, and Lauren Leslie of Estero, FL; great-grandchildren, Cali and Kai Coros, and Jackson and Andrew Arbor. She is also survived by one sister, Astrid Magnus of Lillihammer, Norway and many nieces and nephews.
A Private Memorial Service will be held. Friends may visit from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army and Special Olympics of Indiana.
