Florida-----Helen F. (Chapman) Ertenberg, 91 of Punta Gorda Florida passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. She was born in Laconia, NH June 24, 1925 and moved to Punta Gorda in the mid 1970’s. She graduated from Laconia High School class of 1943 and graduated from Bryant and Stratton business school in Boston.
She worked as a secretary in Boston before meeting her husband of 64 years. She made her home in Newfoundland, Rhode Island, and California before returning to Laconia to raise her family. While in New Hampshire she was a girl scout leader, a member of the First United Methodist Church, and member of the Eastern Star. Her work experience in the area included working for her childhood friend at the Hathaway House and later working as a bookkeeper for Laconia Peoples National Bank and Trust. After making her home in Punta Gorda, FL she was active in the Peace River Shores Association, volunteered at the Port Charlotte Regional Hospital, and belonged to the Women’s group of the United Methodist Church of Fort Ogden.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Homer J. and her parents Gordon and Pearl (Higgins) Chapman and sibling, Lewis Chapman.
She is survived by her two daughters, Marcia and her husband Stephen Cotter and Connie Baron of Laconia, NH, Grandchildren Jacob Baron and wife Katie, Chad Baron and wife Michelle, Stephanie Wentworth and husband Keith, Paul Cotter and wife Alice and Great grandchildren Liam, Maddie, Toby, Rhys, Warner, Ingrid, and Cody. Also survived by her sister Gwen Bastraw and husband Bill and brother Bob Chapman of Texas and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held at 12:00pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, New Hampshire. A reception will be held at the church following the ceremony.
Donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way , Gilford NH 03249 or the Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon Street East, Laconia NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.