Helen Maxine (Church) Fankhauser, 100, formerly of Humboldt, Nebraska, passed away on January 24, 2024, at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha, Kansas. Helen was born on October 31, 1923, to John and Leona (Rue) Church on the family farm near Humboldt. She attended the Rural Bratton Union School, Avondale Country School, and graduated from Humboldt High School. Helen took courses from the Peru State Teachers College and earned her teaching certificate from the State of Nebraska. She taught at various country schools for five years.

On June 16, 1944, Helen was united in marriage Harold J. Fankhauser, to this union, two daughters, Judy Kay and Debra Ann were born. Helen and Harold raised their family on a farm south of Humboldt, where they raised crops and livestock. Helen enjoyed working in the yard with her flowers and vegetable gardens, and always took pride in how her home and yard looked. She was also fond of the many cats and dogs that she had as pets throughout her life.

In 1976, Helen moved to Sabetha, Kansas where she worked as a waitress at the Midway Café, a clerk at the Fashion Center Clothing Store, a CNA at the Fountain Villa Nursing Home, and a CNA/CMA at the Sabetha Manor Nursing Home for eighteen years. Helen enjoyed attending the Richardson County Fair in Humboldt every year and loved to visit with family and friends at the annual Church/Rue reunion in the park. Helen was a lifelong member of the Christian Church in Humboldt. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Leonard and Carl Church; sister Dorothy Burget; brothers-in-law: Elton Burget, Leonard Arnold, Richard Ondracek; sisters-in-law Helen and Wanell Church; and son-in-law Ronald Korber.

Helen is survived by her daughters: Judy Korber of Bern, KS; Debra Fankhauser of Independence, MO; three grandchildren: Jeffrey (Tiffany) Korber, Daniel Korber and Lori Beth (Jason) Marteney; seven great-grandchildren: Blake, Chase, Graham, Brooklyn, Brady, Austin and Ashlyn; sisters: Irene Church of Superior, NE; Mae Ondracek of Hastings, NE; Kay Arnold of Sabetha, KS; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Wherry Mortuary, 207 N. Nemaha Street in Humboldt, Nebraska with Dorothy Smith officiating. Interment will follow services at the Humboldt Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at the Wherry Mortuary, 207 N. Nemaha Street in Humboldt.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family- choice with a later designation.

Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com