Helen M. West

Obituary of Helen M. West

      Helen Marie West, daughter of Martin R. Pedersen and Maybelle (Bronston) Pedersen was born March 28, 1932, in rural Clifton/Vining Kansas, and passed away on February 18, 2022, at Republic County Hospital, Belleville, Kansas.

     Helen was united in marriage to Ralph B. West on January 30, 1950, in Mankato, Kansas. To this union, seven children were born: Bernadine, Jim, Debbie, Tom, Nancy, Sandra, Cindy.   Helen is a member of Central Christian Church, Belleville, Kansas.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Maybelle Pedersen, husband, Ralph B. West, one infant daughter, Bernadine, one son, Thomas, son-in-law, Guy Tabor, son-in-law Curt Boyles, two sisters, one brother.

     Helen is survived by one son, James West of Cuba, KS, four daughters, Debbie Tabor of Cuba, KS, Nancy McNutt (Chris) of Augusta, KS, Sandra Boyles of Burr Oak, KS, Cindy Carter (Larry) of Salina, KS, twelve grandchildren: Kailee Carter, Kylee Carter, Megan Badger (Adam), Matt Boyles (Kristin), Travis Boyles, Carmen Bunck (Ben), Missi Smitherman (Kyle), James McNutt, April Mayorga (Tim), Christina Adsit (Jerry), Frank Tabor (Laurie), Roscoe Tabor (Loni), twenty-two great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild,  nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

      Helen’s early years were spent on a farm in rural Clifton Kansas where she attended a country school. Her family moved into Vining/Clifton where she attended high school. She met the love of her life, Ralph West on a blind double date in her senior year of high school She always joked he was supposed to date the other girl but liked her better! After marriage, the couple lived in Manhattan KS, and South Bend, Indiana.  From there, the family made their home in Clifton, Kansas for several years, then moved to the Cuba, Kansas community in 1972.  Helen worked as a nurse’s aide and a medication aide for 29 years in the Belleville area.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, embroidery, needlepoint, her flowers, (especially the moonflowers!), nature, her pets, and spending time with family and friends. She was proud of her canned goods; her pickled beets, tomatoes, peaches, and green beans were the best! She was continually willing to lend a hand to anyone and was active in the community and church. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was known to be ornery at times. She was friendly to everyone, had a beautiful smile, and would always ask “how are you?”  She was adventurous and was always ready to try new things, including riding motorcycles, target shooting, riding rollercoasters, boating, and just having fun with her family. She will be forever known for her strong spirit, generous nature, and the fact she always thought of others before herself. She taught us true joy comes from giving, not receiving, how to be strong and carry on in the face of hardship, that true riches do not come from things we own, but rather from the love of family and friends, and that we must have the courage to love wholly, completely, and unconditionally.  We should all try to be more like Helen. We will miss her more than words can say. “Bye For Now”

      Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Central Christian Church, Belleville, KS, conducted by Pastor Jacob Rice.

      A light meal will be served after the service.  Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Brantford, KS.

      Memorials may be given to the Family or Central Christian Church, Belleville, KS

     Friends may call on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 1 PM to 8 PM at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS.

     Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com

     Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas is in charge of the arrangements.