"I worked with Helen years ago at New York Life before she retired. She was a classy lady that cared about her family and clients. She will truly be missed! Susan Helmers "
In loving memory of
Helen J. Richardson
October 2, 1939 - January 12, 2022
Helen Richardson, 82, formerly of Barnum and Lehigh, passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 20th at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow at Lehigh Cemetery in Lehigh. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home.
Survivors include her children Anna Marie (Jack) Stewart of Yucca Valley, CA, Jeannie A. Smith (John) Pendergraft of Hayes, VA, Jackie Kelso of Fort Dodge, Fred (Wendi) Schmieder of Fort Dodge, Richard (Susan) Schmieder of Jesup, 14 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, siblings Pauline Ball of Fort Dodge, Jim Miklo of Island Park, ID, Rose Mary (George) Hefley of Omaha, NE, Barbara (Dan) Hunt of Clare, Beth (Mike) Mortenson of LeMars, Don (Donna) Miklo of Clare, Robert Miklo (Matthew Lage) of Iowa City, Kathy (Jimmy) Kenny of Vincent, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Schmieder, parents Steve and Betty (Jondle) Miklo, 2nd husband Darrel "Swede" Richardson, brother Johny Miklo, her granddaughter Crystal Schooley and her grandson Andrew Schmieder.
Helen Jean Miklo was born on October 2, 1939 in Fort Dodge. She was raised and educated most of her life in Clare. She graduated from St. Matthew's High School in 1957. On January 25, 1958, Helen was united in marriage to Fred Schmieder at St. Matthew's Church in Clare. The couple established their home in Fort Dodge, and later lived in Aurelia, Lehigh, Spencer, and then they returned to Barnum. Fred passed away in 1977. Helen lived in Barnum for 28 years. She was united in marriage to Darrel Richardson on September 2, 2006 in Barnum. The couple made their home in Lehigh. Helen worked for New York Life Insurance Company for 30 years retiring in 2010. She was a past member of Fort Dodge Association of Life Underwriters and Holy Trinity Church.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"So very sorry for your loss. We are sure you all have beautiful memories and they will NEVER be lost. Our prayers are with you "
"I really enjoyed visiting with Helen and hearing so many stories. She was a loving,kind and beautiful woman. I also enjoyed meeting her children and of course Ziva. She will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers for you all?"
"Helen Miklo was born in the fall of 1939. World War II had just broken out in Europe. Hitler had taken over Czechoslovakia in March. German troops invaded Poland in September. Although the U.S. would not enter the war for another two years, news of the conflict was on the radio and in the newspapers every day. At home the Great Depression lingered but conditions were improving due to President Roosevelt?s New Deal programs. Unemployment was still high at 15%, but a marked improvement when compared to the 25% unemployment rate in 1933. During these eventful times the Bohemian Hall was preparing for the grand opening of a new structure just south of Fort Dodge in Elkhorn Township. It was the gathering place for Czech families of Webster County for dancing and social meetings. Steve and Betty Miklo loved to dance to the polkas and waltzes that would be played there, but they did not take part in the opening because they were expecting the birth of Helen, their second child, who was born on October 2. Like her older sister Pauline, Helen was born at home. The family lived near the gypsum mills southeast of Fort Dodge and just north of Coalville in a house that did not have electricity or running water. Steve was working in the gypsum mills and helping his stepmother, Emera, run the Miklo?s small dairy. Betty stayed at home to take care of her children and to help with farm chores. This is the world in which Helen began her rich and productive life. "