Friday, December 11, 2009

Helen Mae Smades

Mrs. Smades was born on September 9th, 1913 to Harry and Ethel O'Neal Kean in Greeley County, Kansas and passed away on December 9th, 2009 at the Wichita County Long Term Care Unit at the age of 96.

After graduating from the Greeley County High School in 1931, she began teaching in the Greeley County school system. She married Bob Smades on June 10th of 1934 in Russell Springs, Kansas. He passed away on March 28th, 1983 at their home in Leoti. Aside from the time during World War 2 when she worked on B-29s at Wichita's Boeing Aircraft Company, she lived in Wichita County. She received her Bachelors of Education Degree by driving back and forth to Fort Hays State University on weekends and during summers. After teaching in Greeley County, she taught school in Wichita County's Pleasant Valley community. After that, she began her 29 year tenure at the Robert Bruce Stewart Elementary School in Leoti which was just across the street from her home. Mrs. Smades retired in 1981.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Leoti and was baptized at the age of 92. Other memberships include being a charter member of Leoti's Red Hat, Purple Dress group as well as her coffee and bridge clubs. (On a personal note, Mrs. Smades will go down in history as being one of Leoti's most favorite and beloved teachers to MANY students around the country!)

Survivors include her son, Jack and Lois Glanville-Smades of Larned, Ks. and her daughter, Noreen Walk, of Leoti, 3 grandsons, Rex and Kay (Walk) of McPherson, Ks., Daren and Karl Walk of Leoti, 3 granddaughters, Dana and Joe Hammeke of Belpre, Ks., Jan Smades of Hays, Ks., and Leigh Anne and Cory Stelter of Larned, Ks. and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Mrs. Smades was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 grandson, Gary Smades, and twin great-grandsons.

Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Monday, December 14th, at the United Methodist Church in Leoti. Burial will be in the Beulah Cemetary in Rural Wichita County, Ks.

Friends may call from 2-8:00 on Saturday and from 1-8:00 on Sunday at the Price and Sons Funeral Home of Leoti.

All times are Central Standard.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Fire Department or the United Methodist Church in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home of Leoti.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Smades.

Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.

VLE-B

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