Elenor M Helmke

Elenor was a hard working woman, working for years on the farm next to her husband Diek. She loved her family, most of all, and enjoyed her time being a grandma and G-G-Ma.

In addition to raising things on the farm, she was always busy, and was well known for having taught many women cooking in 4-H. She belonged to sewing club, and the Dorcas Society. She and Diek were very social and loved to travel, play cards, and have adventures with friends. They wore out many decks of Skip-Bo cards over the years. They also loved gardening and woodworking crafts that they sold at many craft shows.

Before it was even built, they were founding members of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Wichita.

Her great-granddaughters will miss fixing her hair in old-fashioned curlers, and playing cards with her. She was also quick with a quip and kept you on your toes. She was a true jokester! She always had two loaves of bread ready each day after school so the kids could enjoy the crusts, and every Christmas, she would make her famous Cherry Mash candy, and her famous red hot pickles.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Dietrick "Diek" Helmke; son, Rodney Helmke; her sister, Elverna, and brother Fredrick; and many extended family members and friends.

She is survived by her children, LaVeda (Terry) Carter, Marlene (Charlie) Fortenberry, Patty (Wes) Brooks, and daughter in-law Earlene (Randy) Stone; grandchildren, Stacey, Lisa, Ryan, Ashlee, Rachel; great-grandchildren, Ian, Quinn, Brynn, Baylor, Brandon, Ava, and Megan; and many loving friends.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Hillside Funeral Home West, located at 2929 West 13th Street North, Wichita, KS 67203. Her funeral service will take place at St. John Lutheran Church, located at 515 S Gregory St, Nashville, KS 67112, at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Committal will follow immediately at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Nashville, KS.