Helen Helsel

1928 - 2025

Helen Helsel, 96, of Bolivar, went to be with Jesus at 1:05 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Helen was surrounded by her family at her daughter, Darla's, home in Kansas City, Missouri, at the time of her passing. Helen was born Nov. 12, 1928, in Polk. Helen was saved at 12 years old at the Adonis Church. Her family later moved to California and then Arizona for work during the Depression. Helen stayed in Arizona for a time before moving to Kansas City, Missouri, where she worked at Hallmark Cards. She met and married Larry Helsel of Kansas City, Feb. 1, 1951. They had four daughters, Brenda, Linda, Darla, and Karen, before divorcing in 1965, but remained friends. Helen moved the family back to the Polk County area, raising her girls with independence and grace. Helen worked at Teter's Floral Products in Bolivar for 15-plus years.
Her friends and family will remember her as a woman of faith and family. Helen was kind, strong, humorous, generous, and spunky. She enjoyed her home and yard work well into her 90s. She loved listening to gospel music, shopping, and spending time with her large family.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Cora and Walter Craddick. Helen leaves behind her four daughters, Brenda Jo (Greg-deceased) Perry, Linda Darlene Richardson, Darla Michelle Barger, Karen Renee (Gene) Gabriele; and seven grandchildren, Charity (Randy) Stauffacher, Ryan (Dawn) Richardson, Lacy (Josh) Rueff, Matt (Kate)Barger, Tiffany (Adam) Massey, Morgan (Mike) Jennings, Jarret (Mackenzie) Gabriele; and three great-grandchildren, Ever Richardson, Knox Richardson, and Petra Rueff.
Funeral services for Helen were Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Pitt's Chapel of Greenlawn Funeral Homes, Bolivar, with interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Bolivar.
Helen ('Mommy', 'Grammy', 'GG') will be greatly missed by her friends and family.