Helen Elizabeth (Hempsted) Guernsey

       Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Reid Martin officiating. Burial will take place at Fulton Center Cemetery, Perrinton, MI.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

      Helen was born on March 28, 1928, to Lawrence and Ruth (Wyman) Hempsted in Lansing, MI.  She moved with her parents in 1939, to Pompeii, MI.  She worked in her parent’s grocery store in Pompeii during her teen years.  She graduated from Ithaca High School, in 1945, and enjoyed attending her Ithaca class reunions.  On October 27, 1946, in Perry, Michigan, at her grandparent’s home, she married Warren Eugene Guernsey.  Helen worked at Borden’s Condensary in Perrinton in the office from 1949 to 1951, until they started their family.  She was a stay at home mom until 1963, when she started working part-time as a rural mail carrier for Perrinton.  She also helped her husband, Warren, as the bookkeeper for their business Guernsey Auto Supply in Perrinton, from 1960 until 1973.  Helen became the regular rural mail carrier for Perrinton in 1973.  This was a job she enjoyed immensely until she retired in 1988.  She always spoke fondly of the customers on her mail route and their children (whom always got treats every holiday).

     She and husband, Warren, enjoyed traveling throughout the United States in their motorhome.  Helen was an excellent cook and enjoyed having her family stop in to enjoy her delicious meals.  Since her retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at the Gratiot County Genealogical Society.  She spent many hours researching and compiling her family history and photos.  She also enjoyed helping others with their search for information.   She loved spending time with her five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

     She is survived by her daughters: Patricia Sue (Ronald) Askegard of Perrinton, MI; Denise Kay Taylor of Perrinton, MI; one son Chris Lee Guernsey of Middleton, MI; her five grandchildren: Nathan Lee (Andrea) Reniewicz of Perrinton, MI; Kenneth Michael (Cherie) Taylor of Middleton, MI; Michelle Marie (Brent) Ryan of Perrinton, MI; Cameron Lewis Guernsey of Ithaca, MI; and Christie Jo (Brian) Meyer of Pinckney, MI; thirteen great-grandchildren: Valerie and Whitney Reniewicz of Perrinton, MI; Haley Taylor of Perrinton, MI; Brittany Price of St. Johns, MI; Ashley (John) Verway of Perrinton, MI; Kennedi, Kerrigan, and Kollin Ryan of Perrinton, MI; Abigail, Conner, and Lydia Guernsey of Ithaca, MI; and Addison and Colby Meyer of Pinckney, MI; and four great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her two sisters: Betty Lou (James) Dunn of Cincinnati, Ohio; Sharon Margaret (Brian) McCluskey; two brothers: Robert Lawrence Hempsted of Perry, MI; Larry Andrew Hempsted of Shelby Township, MI.  Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Ruth (Wyman) Hempsted; husband, Warren Eugene Guernsey, baby sister, Patricia Rose Hempsted; sister-in-laws: Joann, Mary, and Carol Hempsted, and her brother William Warren Hempsted.

     Mom will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  She was truly a great individual.  The Guernsey family would like to thank our Mom’s wonderful caregivers: Cynthia Seiler and Brenda Dyck. 

     Memorials may be made to the Gratiot County Genealogical Society.  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.