Helen Mary (Van Sickel) Diehm, age 89 of Stanwood, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2010. She was born August 17, 1921 to Thaddeus H. and Edith G. (Weld) Van Sickel at the family farm south of Stanwood, where she was raised. On September 7, 1951, Helen married Donald Richard Diehm and they made their home in Stanwood where they raised two daughters, Grace and Donna. Helen attended kindergarten at the Stanwood School and later graduated from Morley High School in 1939. She furthered her education at Ferris Institute and achieved her secretarial degree in 1941. Helen wrote and passed the State Exam to become a licensed practical nurse without attending nursing school. She was then employed at Big Rapids Community Hospital from 1944 until 1954 and Mecosta Memorial Hospital from 1962 until 1986. Helen was a volunteer at the Red Cross Blood Drives and enjoyed knitting baby caps for the hospital's newborn babies and mittens for numerous mitten trees. Helen was a member of the Northland United Methodist Church, DAV #18 Auxiliary, VFW #4102 Auxiliary Rogers Heights, Morley Rebekah Lodge # 344, Morley Busy She's, AARP, and Mecosta County Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary. She is survived by her two daughters, Grace (Darrell) Wilson of Logansport, IN, Donna (Earl) Pratt of Reed City, who have provided a loving home for the last 10 years; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. Diehm who passed away August 27, 1977, her parents, and sister, Erma G. Bartlette in 2008. Funeral services will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at the Northland United Methodist Church in Stanwood with Pastor Dominic Tommy officiating. Burial will be at Wambolt Cemetery in Remus. The family will greet friends Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made in Helen's name to Northland United Methodist Church.