Helen Lietz

Helen Lucille Miller Lietz passed into the arms of Jesus on Oct 3, 2023, in Mesquite, Texas, where she had been living.  She is preceded in death by her husband Walter Lietz Jr, her parents Henry Carl Miller and Fannie W. Brown Miller, two sisters and a brother; Dorothy Maurer, Mayora Miller and Henry Miller III.

Helen was born on December 21, 1936, at McFarland, Kansas and grew to womanhood in the McFarland community, attending school at District 75, Wamego Public School and Hinerville.  She graduated from Alma High School in 1954.  Helen was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and had a lifelong faith in Jesus Christ.

Helen was united in marriage to Walter Lietz Jr on April 24, 1955, at Trinity Lutheran Church, McFarland, by Reverend A.B. Senne.  Helen and “Bus” first met at a Walther League hayrack ride sponsored by the church youth group, while she was working at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Topeka, Kansas.

Helen dedicated her life to serving her community and was elected Treasurer of the Wabaunsee County Extension Council for four years, also served as a 4-H Community Leader and secretary of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Zone for four years.  She served as a Sunday School teacher for fifteen years.  Helen was a partner in the family farming operation on Snokomo Road, actively working beside Bus in raising and daily feeding dairy calves.  Helen loved taking care of animals, and always delighted in accompanying Bus when he was pasturing and inspecting herds.

Walter and Helen have three children; Richard (Miriam Hicklin) Pt Richmond, CA, Diane Baxter (Palmore), Kerrville, TX, and Leslie Kramer (James), Nashville, TN and seven grandchildren; August Lietz, Dr Madeleine Horn (Wolfgang), Adler Lietz (Morgan Konechne), Laura Baxter, Sarah Baxter, Evan Kramer (Zarni de Wet), Dr Andrew Kramer (Alicia Halberg), and one great grandson, Colton James Kramer.

A private graveside service will be held at Bethlehem Cemetery at a later date.