Gertrude A. Helfrich, 105

October 27, 2018

Gertrude A. Helfrich, 105, of Lancaster, passed away on, Saturday, October 27, 2018 at St. Anne’s Retirement Community in Lancaster, where she had been a resident since 2008. She was the loving wife of the late Henry Edward Helfrich.
Born in Lancaster, she was a daughter of the late John and Christina (Kirchner) Ganse.
She was a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Lancaster and for many years a member of Guys and Dolls of St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Millersville.
Gertrude worked for Armstrong Cork Company until she married. After her children were grown, she became employed with the Wheatland Federal Credit Union. She committed every other Thursday night for 60 years to playing pinochle with eight close friends and duckpin bowling at St. Joe. She lived a long and active life and attributed it to the considerable amount of walking she did.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Helfrich of Troy, NY, Maryanne (John) Dochter of Lititz; a brother, Bernard Ganse of Annville; grandchildren, Christina Dochter of Lititz, Matthew (Melissa) Dochter of Maryland, Caroline (Matthew) Zimmerman of Maryland and a great granddaughter, Lily Zimmerman. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas E. Helfrich, six sisters and 2 brothers.
There will be a Mass of Christian burial on Monday, November 5 at 12 pm at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster. The family will receive guests at the church from 11am until the time of service. Burial will follow at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to, St. Leo the Great Capital Campaign, 2427 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601 or to the St. Anne’s Retirement Community Chapel Restoration Fund, 3952 Columbia Ave., Columbia, PA 17512.