Helen (Shultz) Roeder

Helen (Shultz) Roeder, 90, formerly of Shuman Street, Catawissa, went home to be with her family early Sunday morning, August 28, 2011. She had her loving, devoted grandson by her side. She had been residing at Balanced Care Nursing Home in Bloomsburg where she had made many friends who loved her dearly. Born May 28, 1921 in Rush Township, Northumberland County, she was a daughter of the late Reeder and Laura (Bahr) Shultz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Roeder, in 1998. Helen was a graduate of Danville High School and the Bloomsburg Hospital Nurses Training School, where she received her nurse's degree. She was a Registered Nurse and loved her profession, and described herself as “born to be a nurse.” She spent quite possibly her favorite time of her life as a nurse in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on the site of the Manhattan Project, where they developed and produced the atomic bomb. Helen also was the head operating room nurse at Temple University in Philadelphia, and worked at the Bloomsburg Hospital, retiring in 1973. She was a member of the Catawissa Civic Club and Christ United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Catawissa. For over 25 years, she helped make quilts at the church that were distributed to local nursing homes, shelters, and the homeless. She was also an original member of Rush Baptist Church, Rushtown, which later became First Baptist Church of Danville. Throughout her life she absolutely loved to travel, taking trips all over the country with her sister Lois and daughter Jane. She would go anywhere and see anything. She loved to constantly be on the move, and was always planning her next adventure. Along with her affection for nursing and traveling, she loved to share her time with her loved ones, including her daughter, and grandson Ryan. To Ryan, she is known as “Mee Maw,” and they shared a very special bond. From day one, she made her grandson a top priority, supporting him in every possible way. She traveled far and wide to his many sporting events, piano recitals, and graduations; visited him in college; and went anywhere and everywhere else she could to show her support. Her trips with Ryan for spaghetti dinners were always a very special event. She was what every grandmother should be. She loved unconditionally and her unwavering support has made all the difference in Ryan’s life. Helen was a fiercely loyal person to those she loved. She was kind, modest, and humble, and instilled her warmth, sense of humor, and wonderful wisdom to those around her. She was an excellent writer and had a way with words that both inspired and warmed the heart. She was very intelligent, and even while confined to a wheelchair, her mind was as sharp as ever. All of these wonderful qualities and many more will be missed dearly by all of us who loved her. In addition to her husband Max, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jane Wetzel; a sister, Lois Elizabeth (Shultz) Fisher; a brother, Myron Ambrose Shultz; and a sister, Vera Louise Shultz, who died in infancy. Surviving are her grandson, Ryan Wetzel of Milton and four nieces: Sharon Troutman and Elaine Borgese, both of Danville, Joyce O'Brian of California, Carolyn Strubhar of Canada, and her long-time close friend, Bette Davis of Bloomsburg. Services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Christ United Evangelical Lutheran Church, 116 Church Street, Catawissa. A visitation will be held Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Catawissa. Mee Maw, we will miss you forever.

Helen (Shultz) Roeder

May 28, 1921 - August 28, 2011