Helen Smith Powell Lewis was born on her family’s farm north of Highland, Kansas on August 5, 1920 to John G, and Bertha (Smith) Powell. She died on August 7, 2015 at Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Helen attended Fairview School for first grade year and Frog College for fifth as she accompanied her sister Marjorie who was teaching at those schools. She attended Martin school her other grade school years where she completed 2nd and 3rd grade in one year! For high school, she went to Highland High School graduating with the class of 1937, then on to Highland Junior College graduating in 1939. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Mt. St. Scholastica (now St. Benedicts) and obtained further credits from Emporia State Teachers College, now Emporia State University, and Northwest Missouri State College.

She began her teaching career as a substitute teacher completing a term at Bendena in 1961. She taught three additional terms there and one term at Leona as a primary teacher. Helen then became the first kindergarten teacher for the Troy Elementary School where she taught for nineteen years until she retired in 1985. For the rest of her life she delighted in being approached by former students who would ask, “Mrs. Lewis, do you remember me? You were my kindergarten teacher.”

On December 6, 1939, Helen married Ernest Leroy Lewis. He preceded her in death on November 7, 1989. She was also preceded by her parents; her sister, Marjorie Powell; and her brother, Kenneth Powell. Survivors are three sons: Keith, Independence, MO; Dwayne and his wife Becky, Center, CO; Stanley and his wife Georgenne, Arvada, CO. Also surviving are three grandsons, sons of Dwayne and Becky, and two great granddaughters. They are Brian (and his wife Brianna and daughters Allaire and Eliana), Michael (and his wife Stephanie) and Jonathan. In addition, there are a large number of nephews and nieces.

Helen was an active member of the Highland Christian Church since being baptized at the age of seventeen. She served as a teacher for young people for several years and later taught adults for many years. She was a member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship and was also active in the missions program where for numerous years she served on and chaired the Missions committee.

As a booster for Highland Community College, she was a life member of the Alumni Association and served on the Foundation Board. Other organizations of which she was a member were: Doniphan County Retired Teachers, Delta Kappa Gamma, Pollyanna Club, Highland Progressive Club (G.F.W.C.) and Highland Pride.

Helen’s love for her family was second only to her love for the Lord, and her love for people extended beyond her immediate family. She was liked by almost everyone she met. She was ‘Grandma Helen’ and ‘Aunt Helen’ to countless numbers of people beyond her immediate grandsons, nephews and nieces. Her positive attitude, sense of humor, and readiness for new experiences stayed with her to the end of her life here on earth.

A Celebration of Helen’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, August 22, at Highland Christian Church. Terry Carlson and Jerry Petering will officiate.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Friday. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 Friday evening at the Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Highland Community College for scholarship purposes or Church Memorial Fund, which may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland, 66035.