Helen Bernetta Ladd was born October 6, 1931, at the family home, 2404 Ayers Avenue, Toledo, Ohio. She was the seventh child born to Earnest Efflin Ladd Sr. and Ida Jane (Clark) Ladd. Jesus welcomed Helen to her heavenly home on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
When Helen was five years old, her parents left Toledo and moved to Lenawee County, Michigan, where she attended several rural schools. She graduated from Adrian High School in 1949. Helen then attended Lenawee-Monroe County Normal, and in the Fall of 1950 began a teaching career that lasted a lifetime. Helen continued her education earning both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education Degree from Siena Heights College. She taught in four rural schools and then went on to teach in the Adrian Public School System at Prairie, Drager and Springbrook. Being elementary certified, she taught every subject and every grade from kindergarten through the eighth grade. After her retirement, she spent eight more years as a teacher and counselor at the Lenawee Christian School in Adrian. Helen loved children and often said she couldn’t imagine being anything other than a teacher. She was forever grateful that the Lord put two wonderful teachers in her path, who invested themselves to help her develop the potential they saw in her. She frequently told the story of how they (Mildred Armstrong and Gladys Klinger) influenced her destiny.
In 1951, Helen married Richard Nathan Bennett, Sr. To that union were born three wonderful children, whom she loved dearly. In 1994, Richard went home to be with the Lord. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra Lynn Bennett Moeckel. Helen’s life changed drastically, but with her faith in God, she was determined to move forward. Helen was also preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Ida Ladd; Dick’s parents, William and Iva Bennett; five brothers, Alfred (Violet) Ladd, Clarence (Margie) Ladd, Earnest (Elizabeth) Ladd, Richard Ladd and Daniel (Shirley) Ladd; three sisters, Dorothy (John) Halderman, Luella (Jean) Fawcett and Virginia (Stanley) Pierson.
Helen is survived by her children, Richard (Patricia) Bennett, Brian Moeckel and David (Kandy) Bennett. Seven grandchildren who blessed her life, Tiffany (Derrick) Yatzek, Timothy (Jennifer) Bennett, Erik (Nicole) Bennett, Allison, (Matt) Vandersteen, Kristin (Tim) Cruz, Jared (Heidi) Bennett and Brandon (Rachel) Moeckel. Nineteen great-grandchildren who blessed her life and filled it with joy, Hailey, Nathan and Tyler Bennett; Noah, Lily and Cora Yatzek; Caleb, Lucas and Josiah Vandersteen; Beatrice, Vera, Soren and Agnes Bennett; Otto and Ellis Bennett; Zion Moeckel; and Emelia, Aviana, Olive and a baby boy arriving in April to the Cruz family.
Helen was a member of the Bethany Assembly of God Church, Adrian. She served in numerous ministries including teaching, singing in the choir, playing in the bell choir and being a greeter. Helen did whatever she was called to do and loved the opportunity to reach out to others in prayer.
Through the years, she enjoyed several hobbies. Helen sang in the Sweet Adelines’, and enjoyed bowling, ceramics and in her last years, coloring. Most of all, Helen enjoyed people and truly enjoyed sharing her love of Jesus with them. In her last years, Helen wrote a book, which was a challenging and fun way to share her walk in life with her family.
These three scriptures Helen chose to leave with her family and loved ones: John 3:16, Proverbs 3:5-8, and Isaiah 40:31.
A celebration of Helen’s life will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. Burial will follow at Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh. Family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. and again one hour before the service on Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or to Bethany Assembly, Adrian.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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