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formerly of Munith, MI, age 95, died Friday, May 1, 2020 at the Chelsea Retirement Community due to complications from COVID 19.   She was born October 20, 1924 in Brownville, Minnesota, the daughter of Matt & Francis (Hartel) Mollner.  Helen was best known as the “Garage Sale Lady”.   Everyone will miss her freezer jam her cakes, and especially her cereal cake. 
 
On Dec. 23, 1945, Helen married Hiram Brainerd in Ecorse, Michigan and he preceded her in death in 1967.  In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by a son, Michael, and ten brothers and sisters.
 
She leaves behind three daughters, Sherry Orrell, Collette Sprenkel, and Annette Stiers.  She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.
 
There will be no public services.   A private burial will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Waterloo, Michigan.  Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
 

 
You may share a memory or leave a public message for Helen's family using the form below.  Please allow up to 24 hours for us to review and post your comment.  

Comments  

#12 Leslie Wentz 2020-06-01 13:09
She sure was spunky. Last time I saw her she remembered things she bought at my sales over the years. She had a great memory. At my house she was known at the Munith Lady. She will be missed.
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#11 Scott Orrell 2020-05-07 10:23
RIP Grandma B. I will miss coming to visit you at your house and snooping through all of your wonderful treasures. We all will miss you.
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#10 Matt Wentz 2020-05-07 09:53
I am so sad. She was always in front of me at the Sales, always coming to ours. Lots of energy. Being remembered by me for such a simple thing I hope brings some comfort to her family. I will always be waiting for her to show up, at least her spirit will.
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#9 Carol Heydlauff 2020-05-06 19:49
Helen was a kind, loving, energetic woman whom I adored. We will really miss her. We’ll also miss her fabulous strawberry jelly! Heaven will be far better organized and much cleaner now that Helen has arrived
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#8 Vanessa Sprenkel 2020-05-04 23:09
We love you Grandma B. I had fun going to garage sales with you. We will miss your cookies and German chocolate cake you always make us when we visit Michigan. Rest in peace ❤️
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#7 Nick Sprenkel 2020-05-04 20:06
Love you grandma.
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#6 Frank Smith 2020-05-03 20:10
We all love you Grandma B we know you are in heaven with your husband and son Mike.
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#5 Stacy Orrell-Smith 2020-05-03 19:55
Oh, that cereal cake...and her cookies and cakes and fantastic garage sale finds...what an AMAZING and STRONG woman! I will cherish the time you were here with us Grandma. ❤
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#4 Sherry Orrell 2020-05-03 16:07
Love and miss you mom!
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#3 Collette Sprenkel 2020-05-03 14:37
Love and miss you already Mom.
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