Sister Helen Laier, formerly known as Sister Thomas Albert Laier, died on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, MI. She was 88 years of age and in the sixty-ninth year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister was born in Chelsea, MI to Gustave and Rose (Merkel) Laier. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy and earned a Bachelor’s degree in home economics from Siena Heights College (University), both in Adrian. She was also certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse by the Michigan Board of Nursing.

Sister Helen spent 19 years ministering in elementary education in Utica, Rockwood, Dearborn Heights, Brighton, Dearborn, and Owosso, MI, and in Chicago, IL. She served in nursing care at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian and at Memorial Hospital in Owosso, MI. Sister also ministered in caring for her mother and her brothers, Carl and Bob, for 37 years at their family farm.

Sister Helen was a life-long member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, MI. During her years in Chelsea, she served the church as a religious education instructor and eucharistic minister. She also ministered at the Cassidy Lake Incarceration Facility. Sister Helen was known for her amazing baking skills, her love of gardening, and for always being there as a loving, caring presence for a neighbor or family member in need. She had a great love for animals and all of Mother Nature’s grandeur.

Sister Helen became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Carl, Edward, Thomas, Lawrence, Robert, and Donald Laier. She is survived by her sister, Teresa Trumbull (George) of Spring Hill, FL; her sister-in-law, Penny Laier of Chelsea, MI; many loving nieces and nephews; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed until further notice to all guests or visitors. All are welcome to participate in Sister Helen’s wake and funeral via live stream: http://adriandominicans.org/Meet-Dominicans/In-Memoriam#.YBQR_w6mo7E.link.

The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Prayers of Committal will be held in the back of St. Catherine Chapel. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

A Mass in Sr. Helen’s honor will be held on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea with V. Rev. William J. Canon Turner officiating.