The MD Holstein Association extends its condolences to the family of Helen Remsburg.Helen Louise Ropp Remsburg departed this life peacefully on November 28, 2018. She was the daughter of the late John Albert Ropp and Fannie Rebecca Bussard Ropp and the wife of A. Doty Remsburg who predeceased her in 1984.
She was born September 24, 1922 in Middletown, MD and graduated from Middletown High School and Columbia Business College. After graduation she was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper at Coffman Lumber Company in Hagerstown and Grangers Mutual Insurance Company in Middletown.
She and her husband Doty began farming on Remcrest Farm, first with Doty’s family and then on their own. She was fortunate to live on the farm that she loved until her passing.
In 1955 she and her husband formed Remsburg Sale Service, an auction service and conducted many local, state, and national livestock sales, specializing in registered Holstein cattle. She valued the relationships with their many friends as a result of the auction business. She was a member of the Frederick County, Maryland State, and National Holstein Associations and received the Maryland Distinguished Service Award in 1997.
Helen served as a member and past president of the Frederick County School Board of Education, served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Frederick Community College, and was instrumental in the creation of the Career and Tech Center, a first for Frederick County. She also served on the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
She was a member of the Jefferson United Church of Christ for over 65 years and served as president of the consistory, Sunday School teacher, and on several church committees including the church supper committee. She also assisted with compiling a history of the church for publication.
She is survived by her son Denny (Marsha), daughter Lois Skeen (Mike), grandson Darren Remsburg (Carrie), granddaughters Brenna Barnhouse (Randy), Michelle Ball (Brian), and Kelly Carper (John), eight great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her siblings M. Lee Ropp of Myersville and Beverly Campbell of Tucson, AZ. She was preceded in death by her sisters Evelyn Brandenburg and Frances Duvall and her brother George Bernard Ropp as well as her step-father George P. Ropp.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 30 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the Donald B. Thompson Funeral Home in Middletown. Services will be held Saturday, December 1 at 12:00 PM from the Jefferson United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jefferson United Church of Christ or to the charity of one’s choice.