Helen Lucille Greub, 94, of Hiawatha passed away September 29, 2014 at Hiawatha Community Hospital.

Helen was born on the family farm outside of Troy, Kansas on November 6th, 1919, to Justin and Anna May Sluss Trant.  Helen is survived by her son Ray Edward Soden from her first marriage, two grandchildren, Todd Michael Soden and Leslie Ann Soden, and many nieces, nephews and their families.  

Helen was in every way of the word a Survivor of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930’s.  She enjoyed telling her grandchildren stories from that time, of watching the dust clouds roll in, grasshopper plagues, and of collecting black walnuts for pennies.  

Like many of her generation, she learned hard lessons from those early years and wanted to pass that wisdom onto her family members.  She was always very proud of being able to make a little bit of money go a long, long ways, but was always generous with her family.   

She moved to Hiawatha in 1945 and worked at the Mid Central Egg processing plant and Wilde Tool Manufacturing in Hiawatha.  Later in her life she became well-known for her durable hand-woven rugs, and became a fixture at regional flea markets and county fairs selling them.  She made friends easily and was always a personable character, traits that later served her very well as a Greeter at the Golden Eagle Casino. 

Helen had a natural green thumb and enjoyed gardening and mushroom hunting.  She also enjoyed wildlife and nature, especially watching birds, and always made sure to set out a little crumbs for the birds from her meals.  

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, Edward Soden and Louis Greub, and her three siblings, Doris Rowan of Hiawatha, Leo Trant of Everest, and Russell Trant of Troy.  

A simple grave-side ceremony will be held for her on Tuesday morning, September 30, at 10:00 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, Kansas.  The family asks that in lieu of sending flowers, contributions can be made thru Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha to be designated later by the family.

Online condolences may be made to www.chapeloaksfuneral home.com.