Helen Mabel Bradford

Helen Mabel Bradford, age 101, of Glenwood, formerly of Eureka, Kansas, died Wednesday, March 4, 2009.

She was born on July 20, 1907, near Eureka, Kansas, the daughter of Elwin W. and Ellinor Latter Bradford. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Guy Bradford; and her sister, Erma Hokanson.

She attended rural grade schools and graduated from Climax Rural High School in 1925. For nine years, Helen taught in Greenwood County, KS rural schools. During this time, she spent summers attending Emporia (KS) State Teachers College, where she earned her life certificate in 1937. After taking one year off from teaching, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Education in 1940. In 1948, Helen was awarded her Master’s Degree in English from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Helen taught school in Eureka, KS and El Dorado, KS. In 1962, she accepted a position as head of the English Department at South High School in Wichita, KS, where she remained until 1965. That year, Helen joined the faculty of the English department at Emporia State Teachers College (ESTC).

During her teaching career, Helen was involved in local, state, and national teachers associations, including Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the State and National Councils of Teachers of English.

In 1972, Helen retired from ESTC and returned to Eureka, KS. In retirement, she was active in the American Association of University Women, the Altrurian Club, the Greenwood/Elk County Retired Teachers Association, the Susannah French Putney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in El Dorado, and the Eureka First United Methodist Church.

Helen was interested in recording and preserving the history of Eureka and Greenwood County, and encouraged others to do so. She was active in the organization of the Greenwood County Historical Society, and was instrumental in the creation of the society’s genealogical and historical research center at its museum.

She is survived by her nephew and his wife, David and Carol Hokanson, of Glenwood, AR, and two great-nephews, Jeff Hokanson and Jon Hokanson.

A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, Kansas.

The family requests that donations be made in Helen’s honor to the Eureka First United Methodist Church, PO Box 595, Eureka, Kansas, 67045.

Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.
Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.