Helen Biggs Anderson

Helen Catherine Anderson, Mankato, Kansas, was born January 5, 1919, on the family farm southwest of Mankato to Carl and Oleanna Thronson, and passed away Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Jewell County Long-term Care, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 91 years, 7 months, and 15 days.

She was the seventh of eight children. Helen attended school at Pleasant Ridge Grade School, and High School at Mankato and Hutchinson, Kansas, while she worked for a family there. She was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato.

Helen married Loren Biggs on September 3, 1936, at Belleville, Kansas. Two daughters and one son were born to this union. They spent their entire married life living in Lebanon, Kansas, except for the one year lived in Omak, Washington. In 1960, they purchased the Hub Café in Lebanon, and operated it for four years. In the spring of 1964, they built a motel and later added a café, the Biggs Diner in Lebanon which they operated for eight years. Loren passed away October 30, 1973. Later, Helen moved to Minden, Nebrska, to be near her sister, Marie Morris. While there she worked at the Pioneer Village Restaurant. She later moved to Mankato, Kansas, where she operated the snack bar in Kier’s Grocery.

On May 5, 1981, she married Pearl Anderson. He passed away November 20, 1993.

Helen was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, brothers (Clarence, Orville, Ossie, John, and Elmer) and two sisters (Jessie Graham and Marie Morris). She is survived by daughters Roma and husband, Bob Flynn of Abilene, Kansas, and Donna and husband, Robert Davis of O’Neill, Nebraska; son Ronnie Biggs of Central City, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be (was) Monday August 23, 2010, at 1:00 p.m., at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Katharine Redpath officiating. Organist was Mrs. Verla Roe, and the congregation sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Rock Of Ages”. Casket bearers and honorary casket bearers were: Rob Davis, Steve Flynn, Jeb Flynn, Kyle McCook, Chad Biggs, Mark Cooper, Ethan McCook, Matt McCook, and Jon McCook. Interment was in Sweet Home Cemetery, Lebanon, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to: Jewell County Hospital, Long-term Care or the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mankato. Visitation will be at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, Kansas, Saturday, August 21, 2010, and Sunday, August 22, 2010, from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Melby Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.