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Surrounded by the love of her children, Florence Lela Helms, 95 yrs old, went to meet her Heavenly Father on February 3, 2010.
Mrs. Helms was born in Elk Falls, Kansas, fourth of six children, to Oren and Mary Kelsey on April 12 1914. She grew up on the family farm west of Elk Falls and graduated from Elk Falls High School. She attended college at Emporia State Teachers College then taught country school at Elk County's Greenfield, Wild Cat, Fairview and Mound Branch.
She was married to Sidney Helms on August of 1940 at the Moline Christian Church, and together they had 5 children. They lived in Kansas till 1955 when they moved to Mesa, Arizona. Sidney passed away January 1967 and Lela remained in Mesa till 1979 when she moved to Howard, KS. She moved back to Arizona to be near her children in 1987 then again returned to Elk County in 2006 and lived in Moline. Her current residence at the time of her death was Howard Twilight Manor.
Lela was proceeded in death by her husband Sidney, two brothers, Allen and George, two sisters, Ethyl and Emma. She has one surviving brother, Dr Oren Kelsey and sister in law Grace Kelsey of Many, LA.
She leaves behind 5 children and their spouses, Judith and Art Simon of Howard, KS. Larry and Emily Helms of Tonto Basin, AZ, Burl and Bonnie Helms of Howard, KS, Joyce and William Bischof of Moline, KS and Joan and Tom Murphy of Moline, KS. Twelve grandchildren, Chris Helms- Riverside CA, Kim Barlow -Hemet, CA, Tina Silvers- Ottawa, KS, Samantha Thomas-Shawnee, OK, Jason Helms-Wichita, KS, David Simon- Howard, KS, Brian Simon- Independence KS, Amy Shaw-Coffeyville KS, Jessica Lee- Moline, KS, Elizabeth Gidley- Phoenix, AZ, Tanya Helms-Mesa AZ, Brandy Helms- Mesa, AZ. and twenty-six Great Grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday February 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Zimmerman Funeral Home with Pastor Stan Rumbaugh officiating. Visitation will be held Friday February 5, 2010 from 6-8 pm. The family suggest memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home 206 E. Washington, P.O. Box 1233 Howard, Kansas 67349
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