Helen Mehrer Joyce, age 95, Mott, ND, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, September 16, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society, Mott.

The Funeral Service will be on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 10:30 am at the Evangelical Community Church, Mott, ND. Pastor Ed Billock will officiate with burial in Sunnyslope Cemetery, Mott.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 1:00 – 5:30 pm at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Mott with a service for family and friends at 7:00 pm at the Evangelical Community Church, Mott.


HELEN SMITH was born northwest of Carson, ND on January 2, 1920, the sixth of seven children born of Charles Smith and Margaret (Geiss) Smith. Helen had her first grade at a country school, walking one mile with her brothers. In 1926 the family moved into Carson. Her dad opened a tin-smith shop. Helen had to take the first grade over because she was so young. In 1928 the family moved to Mott, ND. Helen graduated from Mott Lincoln High School in 1938. During her last two years of high school she was employed at the local telephone office as a switch board operator. She continued there for three years. She was a Rainbow Girl throughout her teen years. She was active in the Methodist Church's Young Girls of Foreign Mission work and Queen Esther's Home Mission work. Meetings were held at Fairview Farm, owned by Mae Klein. She was active in the Young People's Epworth League.

In 1941 Helen and Eldon Mehrer were married. Four children were born to this union. They lived in the town of Mott for a short time, operating a garage, repairing machinery and cars. When WWII broke out, Eldon went to work for LeTurnal Machine Corporation building airports and paving roads. They traveled extensively aiding the war effort. In 1945 they settled in a farm southeast of Mott. They farmed for 25 years. While farming, Helen was faithful to the Methodist Church, continuing church and civic work. At various times she served as President of the Ladies Aid, held offices in the Mission groups, and taught Sunday School. All four of the children were baptized and confirmed to God in this church.

In 1966 Helen and Eldon moved to Lindstrom, MN where Helen pursued a nursing career, but short of an RN degree, she felt God calling her into a career in drug and alcohol treatment. She worked in all phases of counseling including family, suicide, death and psychodrama. Her programs are the result of certification from the State Educational Dept. of Minnesota and Montana. She was licensed to dispense drugs.
Her husband died in 1977 and she received a call to continue her work in Montana. She was the first counselor to establish family counseling in MT. Eldon helped establish the treatment center in Mandan, ND.

Helen retired in 1988 and lived in a military retirement community north of Glasgow, MT. In 1989 she married William Joyce, a retired Air Force Sgt. He died in 2002 at the age of 89. Helen became ill and entered the Good Samaritan Home in Mott in 2009.

Helen had training in journalism. Writing was a special talent. Many of her writings were published in magazines and newspapers. Most of her works were lost in a house fire. She wrote two books on family history and pedigree, self-published. She had a variety of collections including foreign tin boxes, music boxes, state spoons, state plates, mice, trivets, and cream pitchers. Antiques she valued were a sewing chair, a sugar bowl & creamer from her great grandmother, and a plate depicting the Queen of England during WWII. Her hobbies, besides collecting, included reading, embroidering, and puzzles. She also loved gardening and preserving food.

Helen's first husband, Eldon, left her a wonderful legacy. In memory of their work, there is a wing at St. John's Hospital in St. Paul, MN named "Mehrer Hall." Helen established a "Heart of Gold" award in Mott in honor of Eldon. She also maintained a kids' park in West Mott.

Survivors include her four sons, Gilbert (Loretta) Mehrer, Mott, ND; Eldon (Rosemary) Mehrer, Garden City, KS; Clifford (Ruby) Mehrer, Liberty, MO; Steven (Cindy) Mehrer, Columbia, MO; 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, 3 brothers and 3 sisters.