Helen E. Lierz, formerly of Seneca, Kansas, passed away peacefully at LaVerna Village Nursing Care in Savannah, MO on December 30, 2023.

Helen was born in Kelly, Kansas on April 21, 1931, to Henry and Magdalen (Steinlage) Rottinghaus. After the death of her mother in 1944, Helen completed 8th grade and then helped on the family farm.

She was joined in marriage to Lester Lierz on December 1, 1956, and enjoyed being a farmer- wife and mother to their two boys, Mark and Steve. After the death of Lester in 1963, Helen dedicated her life to raising her sons. She moved to Seneca where she worked for the Co-Op, before eventually opening The Fabric Inn on Main Street where she was a successful business owner for 21 years. Education was important to Helen, and she eventually completed her high school education in 1975. After selling the store in 1991 Helen devoted the next 15 years to being the Housemother at Kappa Sigma Fraternity in Lawrence, where her boys had both been members during their college years at KU.

During her summers off and between college terms, Helen enjoyed spending time in Seneca, visiting and playing Bridge with friends, sewing and quilting, traveling to St. Joseph or Kansas City to spend time with her sons and families, and traveling with her lifelong friend Sally Lauer. Helen was a strong, determined woman, a gifted quilter and seamstress, even making her daughters-in-law wedding dresses.

Her pride and joy were her boys, their wives, and her grandkids and she leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and family.

She is preceded in death by her parents (Magdalen and Henry), brothers (Bernard, Clarence, Marcellus, and Edwin) and sisters (Rita and Rose).

She is survived by her two sons Mark (Susan) Lierz of St. Joseph, MO, Steve (Shelley) Lierz of Overland Park, KS, sisters Mary Sieben and Dorothy Hammes, brother Ray Rottinghaus, grandchildren Matt (Sydney) Lierz of Columbus, OH, Mike Lierz, Anne Lierz, Kate Lierz, John Lierz, and Hank Lierz of Kansas City, Brady Lierz of Little Rock, AR, Sydney Lierz of Overland Park, KS, great-grandchild Lucy Lierz of Columbus, OH, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 6th, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 AM, with a Rosary at 10:30, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, in Seneca. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM at the church.

Memorials can be made to Sts Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .