LACONIA-----Helga (Pesch) Garger, 84, died peacefully on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at her home after a short illness, surrounded by her loved ones.
A daughter of the late Maria Wilhelmina (Helten) and Herman Joseph Pesch of Essen, Germany, Helga was born on February 14, 1934, in Syracuse, NY. She graduated from Fayetteville High school in Fayetteville, NY in 1952, and as a Registered Nurse from LeMoyne School of Nursing in 1955.
In 1958, Helga married Dr. Walter N. Garger, at the time an orthopedic resident at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. From there they moved to New Hampshire, to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic in Hanover, and then to Connecticut, to the Newington Crippled Children’s Hospital. Following residency they settled in Laconia, NH where Dr. Garger joined Dr. Howard Hoffman in private practice and later established the Orthopedic Professional Association in Laconia with Dr. Donald Ettelson.
Helga is survived by her brother, Norman Pesch of Montrose, CO, and sisters Rosemarie Bolla Brannon of Seal Beach, CA, and Karen Pesch of Rochester, NY; her 5 children and their families Deborah Garger Alsofrom and her partner Crosby Hard of Burlington, VT, Linda Garger Brewer and her partner Dick Wiggins of Sanbornton, NH, Karen and Tim Saunders of Gilford, NH, Erich and Angela Garger of Groton, MA, and Melanie Garger and Chris Madigan of North Andover, MA. Lovingly known as “Bam” she is survived by her adored 12 grandchildren, Kaitlin Alsofrom, Chelsea Alsofrom and her husband Rick Dugan, and Nicholas Alsofrom; Jeremiah and Anastacia Brewer; Rebekah and her husband Craig Sexton, Patrick and his wife Keeley Saunders, and Peter Saunders; Brooke and Abby Garger; and Jakob and Molly Madigan; and 3 great-grandchildren Weston Brewer Lancaster, and Owen and Finn Sexton.
Helga began working at Lakes Region General Hospital in the late 1970’s. In 1986 she was among the founders of the Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency Program. In 1993 she earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch, New England. She continued to work at LRGH with the Nathan Brody Chemical Dependency unit for the next 20 years. Helga has been a grateful friend of Bill W. for the past 44 years.
Helga served as a daily mass communicant at St. Joseph Parish for over 46 years, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for many of those years. Her faith and family were the center of her love and life. She has led by example, embracing the gift of salvation and hope offered by Jesus. Following his example she embraced her cross and each day rose again. She led many to true freedom by knowing the Lord. Her greatest joy was helping others to find faith in their journey.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 10:00am at the St. Andre Bessette Parish- St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, NH.
Private family burial will be held in St. Lambert Cemetery, Laconia NH.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to St. Andre Bessette Parish for Charity Assistance / Chemical Dependency Assistance, 291 Union Ave 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.