Helen Huffman

Helen Huffman was born January 13, 1920, third of seven children of John Charles and Celinda Jeannett (Elyea) Fullerton, on a farm southwest of Montrose, Kansas, and died October 12, 2010, at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville, Kansas, at the age of 90 years.

Helen (Sis) attended country schools in the Jewell and Montrose area. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1937. Following graduation she taught at Hillsdale Country School, 1937, and Gregory Country School, 1943.

On April 23, 1938, she married Paul (Ole) K. Huffman in Mankato, Kansas. They settled on a farm in the Ruebens area. Two daughters joined this union. Later in life Ole and Sis moved to Mankato and she worked at Jewell County Hospital as a Nurses Aid for several years.

Helen always raised a huge vegetable garden that would fill her pantry and she always shared with many family members, neighbors, and friends. Raising flowers was another joy for her with her beautiful roses giving her the most enjoyment. She crocheted lots of afghans and made hundreds of dolls.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, parents, granddaughter-Denise, two brothers-Phillip Fullerton and Richard (Dick) Fullerton, sister-Charlotte Murray, and infant sister-Barbara Jean.

Survivors are daughters- Judy Bryant of Courtland, Kansas, and Linda; four grandsons; great grandchildren; two sisters- Iva Lea Metz of Bothell, Washington, and Audrey Jacobson, Santa Maria, California; sisters-in-law- Lu Fullerton, Denver, Colorado, and Donna Fullerton, Superior, Nebraska.

A celebration of Helen Huffman’s life was held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, on Friday, October 15, 2010, at 1:30 pm, with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating. Musician was Ben Black. Casket bearers were: Joseph Watkins, II, Jason Watkins, Dale Freeman, Mike Freeman, Corey Freeman, and Adam Freeman. Interment followed the service in the cemetery. The family suggests memorials to honor Helen Huffman be made to Meadowlark Hospice, Clay Center, Kansas. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of celebration.