HELMS, Florence Lela (Kelsey) - b. April 12, 1914 - d. February 3, 2010

[patyrn]

Surrounded by the love of her children, Florence Lela Helms, 95 years 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 and then taught country school at Elk County's Greenfield, Wildcat, Fairview, and Mound Branch schools.

She was married to Sidney Helms in August 1940 at the Moline Christian Church in Moline, Kansas, and they had five children.  They lived in Kansas until 1955 when the moved to Mesa, Arizona.  Sidney passed away in January 1967, and Lela remained in Mesa until 1979 when she moved to Howard, Kansas.  She moved back to Arizona to be near her children in 1987 and 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 preceded in death by her husband Sidney; two brothers, Allen and George; and two sisters, Ethyl and Emma.  She has one surviving brother, Dr. Oren Kelsey and sister-in-law Grace Kelsy of Many, Louisiana.

She leaves behind five children and their spouses, Judith and Art Simon of Howard, Kansas, Larry and Emily Helms of Tonto Basin, Arizona, Burl and Bonnie Helms of Howard, Kansas, Joyce and William Bischof of Moline, Kansas, and Joan and Tom Murphy of Moline, Kansas; twelve grandchildren, Chris Helms of Riverside, California, Kim Barlow of Hemet, California, Tina Silvers of Ottawa, Kansas, Samantha Thomas of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Jason Helms of Wichita, Kansas, David Simon of Howard, Kansas, Brian Simon of Independence, Kansas, Amy Shaw of Coffeyville, Kansas, Jessica Lee of Moline, Kansas, Elizabeth Gidley of Phoenix, Arizona, Tanya Helms of Mesa, Arizona, and Brandy Helms of Mesa, Arizona; and twenty six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas with Pastor Stan Rumbaugh officiating.  Visitation will be held Friday, February 5, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Sociey 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.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)