Helen Louise (Shute) Berends, age 86, of Grand Rapids, MI,  went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 2, 2009.  Helen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Helen graduated from Moody Bible Institute and also from Kellogg Community College.  For 37 years she ministered with her husband, Rev. Henry Owen Berends, at Good News Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, MI,  and Calvary Baptist Church in Battle Creek, MI.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Rev. Henry Owen Berends; her parents, George and Sara Shute; her sisters, Mary Rogers and Betty Whitnack and her brother, George Shute, Jr.  She is survived by her children, Tim Berends of Las Vegas, NV, Drs. Lois and Mark Patton of Shepherdstown, WV, Joy Berends of Galveston, TX, Beth and Tim Nesseth of Hudsonville, MI, Rev. James and Anne Berends of Cummings, GA, and Mark and Robyn Berends of Melbourne, Australia.  She was loved by her grandchildren, Laurie (Matt) Tolsma, Andrea (Lansen) Perron, Beth Nesseth, Kristin Nesseth, Ryan (Amanda) Patton, James Patton, Joel Berends, Caitlin and Melanie Berends, and Nate, Tom and Laura Berends.  She has two great-grandchildren, Quinn and Alexa Tolsma.  Helen is also survived by a loving extended family, Rev. George and Joy Berends, Dr. Gene and Eileen Berends, Dr. Joan Berends, many nieces and nephews, as well as her sister, Mrs. Jane White of Philadelphia.  We express our gratitude to the staff of the Beacon Hill at Eastgate, (formerly Michigan Christian Home), who cared so well for Helen the past several years. Memorial contributions to Beacon Hill would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.  A memorial service and celebration of Helen’s life will be held on Thursday, January 8^th at 1 p.m. with Rev. George Berends and Rev. James Berends officiating.  Interment will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI.