Helen H. Fretz

Helen Christine Habegger Fretz, 92, of Goshen, passed away on January 6, 2015 at Greencroft Healthcare. Helen was born April 19, 1922, in Forsythe, Montana, to Alfred and Barbara (Hirschy) Habegger, who were missionaries to the Northern Cheyenne Native Americans in Busby, Montana, 20 miles east of the Custer Battlefield. Her parents are deceased as are her siblings, Marden, Jeanne, Esther, Lois, and Bernard. One brother, David Habegger, of Elkhart, survives, as do her four children, Barbara (Archie) Ross of Longmont, Colorado, Susan Boushele of Pocatello, Idaho, James H. (Mary) Fretz of Killingworth, Connecticut, and Joseph H. (Ann) Fretz of Centennial, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Jason, Don, Christina, Charles, Samuel, Zachary, Emily; and four great-grandchildren, Ezra, Isaac, James, Bridget Helen, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen's husband, J. Herbert Fretz, preceded her in death on August 10, 2013, and is buried at Deep Run West Mennonite Church cemetery, Bedminster, Pennsylvania. According to her wishes, after cremation, Helen will be buried there with him. Helen's early education was with the Cheyenne in Busby, Montana, and they gave her the name Voesta, which means "White Buffalo Cow" in Cheyenne, a rare occurrence. Her father baptized her at age 13 upon her confession of faith, along with several Cheyenne youth. She completed her high school education in Berne, Indiana, while living with her grandparents, David and Matilda Habegger. She met her future husband while attending Bluffton College in Bluffton, Ohio. She graduated in 1944, as an educator. After teaching high school for a year in Arcanum, Ohio, while Herb was attending Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, they were married on June 9, 1945, in Berne, with her father, Alfred Habegger, officiating. Helen and Herb were married for 68 years. Helen taught third grade for one year in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania while Herb finished his senior year at seminary. They then moved to Bedminster, PA, where Herb became the pastor at the Deep Run West Mennonite Church from 1945 to 1953. Herb's grandfather, Allen M. Fretz, had been pastor there for 60 years. Helen and Herb moved to Freeman, South Dakota, where he was pastor at Salem Mennonite Church from 1953 to 1963. Helen enjoyed staying home for 18 years to raise and care for her family. Gardening, sewing, and doing projects with the children were pleasurable and treasured times. When the family moved to Goshen, Indiana, where Herb was pastor of the Eighth Street Mennonite Church from 1963 to 1968, Helen earned her Master's Degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and she taught Consumer and Home Economics at Whiteman Junior High School (in Goshen from 1964 to 1987. Helen willingly served her Lord as a pastor's wife, taught Sunday School, worked on the Fellowship Committee, and served one term as deacon at Hively Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Indiana, where Herb worked at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) for 20 years from 1968 to 1988. Helen and Herb again became members at Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen in 1989. The children thank the staff of Greencroft Healthcare for the loving care they gave Mom. Helen and Herb will be greatly missed by their children. A memorial service will be held Friday, January 9, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be donated to Eighth Street Mennonite Church, 602 South Eighth Street, Goshen, IN 46526, or to the White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church, PO Box 50, Busby, MT 59016. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.