Helen V. Sherrill

January 16, 2017 - December 20, 2017

Helen Verna (Hamersma) Sherrill, 84, passed away peacefully at her Arvada, Colorado residence on December 20, 2017. A wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Helen was born January 16, 1933 in Hawarden, Iowa, the daughter of Martin Hamersma and Angeline (White) Hamersma. Her two younger siblings, Martha (Hamersma) Nielsen and Nancy (Hamersma) Statema, were inspiring women and great friends.

Married for nearly 53 years to George E. Sherrill, they raised their four children, Brenda, Todd, Mark, and Karen, in Pierre, South Dakota. After a string of interesting early career roles, including as a telephone switchboard operator in the 1950s, Helen eventually worked for the Pierre school district for many years. George and Helen retired to Arvada, Colorado in 2006.

Throughout her life Helen maintained a sweet and simple demeanor. She loved a routine and viewed each day as a success if she had stuck to the plan designed earlier that morning. Consistent elements within the daily agenda seemed to be the local 5:00 news and The Wheel of Fortune, but the highlight was clearly a long walk, either outside on a path in the foothills or along the creek, indoors at a nicely-appointed mall, or simply performing laps up and down the aisles of the grocery store, if she felt there was a need to multi-task.

Helen was world famous for mass producing crocheted dishrags, developing sneaky-good sewing skills, acquiring the ability to cut young people’s hair in front of a mirror (with little regard for style if she was in a hurry), and perfecting an understated cooking style that ranged from Spam recipes whipped-up in her outdated electric skillet, to deviled eggs that were gone in just a few minutes when put in front of the family, to a boatload of jello-related recipes intended as a dessert, to make everyone happy.

Helen specialized in starting conversations with strangers, with a standard intro line that revolved around the weather. She left us knowing that her beloved Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls teams were the best, and enjoyed watching any golf tournament that was in the process of being dominated by Tiger Woods. She was also a life-long Minnesota Vikings fan who just recently felt a sad obligation to cheer for the local Denver Broncos club.

Helen is survived by her children and their spouses: Brenda (Brian) Lewis, Todd (Annette) Sherrill, Mark (Siriya) Sherrill, Karen (Dave) Kurschinski; in addition to nine grandchildren: Brittany, Courtney, Brianne, Aaron, Ryan, Kevin, Carly, Miranda, and Ty; five great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law Peter Statema; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband George, her father Martin and mother Angeline, sisters Martha and Nancy, and brother-in-law Jerry Nielsen.

Helen’s family and friends knew her to be kind, positive, and thankful for the gifts of an extended family and fellowship.

Celebration of life will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Olinger Crown Hill, Pavilion of Reflection. Her urn will be placed with her beloved husband, George, at Golden Cemetery during a private ceremony.