Helma Strauss Besser

Helma Strauss Besser, 87, of Little Rock died September 10, 2013. Born June 28, 1926 in Grosskrotzenburg, Germany, she was the daughter of Edward and Elsa Rhein Strauss. At age 11, she and her family fled to the United States from Nazi Germany after "Krystal Nacht" – the night of broken glass. Mrs. Besser was a longtime member of Synagogue Agudath Achim and it's Sisterhood and a lifetime member of Hadassah. She was a loving wife and mother who, in addition to keeping a home, worked side by side with her husband as the bookkeeper at Besser's Liquor Store which they owned. Preceded in death by her parents. Sshe is survived by her husband of 66 years, Maurice; a son, Ken Besser (Brenda Breckling) of Little Rock; daughter, Vikki Girone (Dan) of North Little Rock; sister, Paula Kaplan of Memphis; grandchildren: Stephanie Hartle, Adam Besser and Brooke Besser and great-grandchildren: Emma and Ean DeClerk. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) at Jewish Oakland Cemetery with Rabbi Kalman Winnick and Rabbi Shaya Kilimnick officiating. Memorials may be made to Synagogue Agudath Achim, 7901 W. 5th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Her family would like to thank Dr. Patel for his fantastic care. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.