Joan Elizabeth Helget

Joan Elizabeth Helget, 84, of Flush, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 18, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family. Joan was born September 18, 1928 on the family farm. She was the daughter of August and Mary (Straub) Ridder. She attended school in Flush graduating from Flush High School in 1946. On November 18, 1948, Joan married Leo P. Helget, Jr. at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Flush. Joan worked for the Pottawatomie County Weed Department for over 10 years before retiring. She also worked for U.S.D. 323 as both a school bus driver and a cook. Joan was a 4-H leader for many years and was a volunteer in all aspects of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was a past officer of the St. Joseph’s Altar Society and a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Joan had many hobbies. She enjoyed square dancing and music and loved gardening, crocheting and ceramics. Joan also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed the many camping trips taken to Colorado with her family. Joan is survived by one son: Gary Helget and wife Sara of Westmoreland, KS; two daughters: Donna Helget of Lakewood, CO and Mary Jo Schmitt and husband Randy of Manhattan, KS: three brothers: Merlyn Ridder (Dorothy) of Flush, KS, Kenny Ridder (Betty) of Topeka, KS and Clayton Ridder (Sherry) of Olsburg, KS; four grandchildren: Tricia Lagabed (Charles), Stacy Schmitt, Shannon Conrow (Jason) and Jake Helget (Ahlesha) and six great-grandchildren: Lauren, Rebecca, Hanna, Caleb, Kaitlyn and Devon. She was preceded in death by her husband: Leo, on May 3, 2010, one infant daughter: Mary Ann, one grandson: Mike Schmitt, one sister: Suzie Zoeller and one brother: Clarence Ridder. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Flush, KS. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Joan will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego beginning at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, where a Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and to Homecare and Hospice of Manhattan and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547.