Janet “Jan” Ann (Fickies) Helder, devoted wife, mother, and grammie died peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 31, She was 80 years old and a resident of Hopkins.
She was born in Lansing on April 17, 1945, to Max and Gladys (McClure) Fickies, who preceded her in death. Jan was a graduate of Everett High School and Western Michigan University, where she earned a secretarial degree and met her husband, Henry “Earl” Helder.
She worked for 33 years as secretary of Martin Reformed Church. She loved the people and serving the congregation in that way, and she was also very active in her church.
Jan is survived by her husband, Earl, with whom she shared 59 years of marriage and their three children: Todd (Rachel) Helder, and their children, Emma, Leah, and Jake; Lisa (Scott) Hazard, and their children, Abbi (Elias) Seeman , Ellie (Thomas) Ban, Claire, and Seth; and Katie (Eric) Jager, and their children, Ryan, Ben, and Anna; and special nieces Amy (Doug) Porter and Tammy (Shaelesh) Bhat and their daughter, Lauren.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Martin Reformed Church, 1073 W. Allegan St., Martin. A funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, also at Martin Reformed Church with a luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Maplewood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jan’s honor to Positive Options, 114 Chestnut St, Allegan.
