Helen Irene (Bohnen) Prester, 77, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the
Salina Regional Hospital.
Helen was born January 8, 1942 in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Bernard and Margaret (Bode) Bohnen. She grew up on a farm north of Dorrance and graduated from Dorrance High School in 1960.
Helen was united in marriage to Leon G. Prester on March 22, 1962 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Russell. This union was blessed with two children; Monica and Mike. They made their home in Lawton, Oklahoma; Russell, Kansas; Kingman, Kansas and Salina, Kansas.
Helen was a devoted wife and homemaker for her children when they were growing up. She worked at the Russell Regional Hospital as a Nurses Aid and then a Cook at the Salina School District. Later she worked as a Clerk for Dillard’s in Salina, retiring in 2004. She loved having the opportunity to be a loving daycare provider for her last three grandchildren. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salina. She enjoyed being outside working in her flower garden, doing yard work and crocheting.. Later in life everything evolved around her grandchildren and attending her grandchildren’s sporting and school events.
Helen’s surviving family include her husband of 57 years, Leon of the home; daughter, Monica Jorden (Chris) of Salina, Kansas; son, Mike Prester (Angie) of Salina, Kansas; brother, Sonny Bohnen (Mary Lee) of Wilson, Kansas; sister, Rita Krause (Richard) of Russell, Kansas; 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lucille Peirano and two infant sisters.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dorrance, Kansas. A private burial of ashes will follow the Mass at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Dorrance. The family selected cremation and no visitation will be held. A Memorial has been established with the St. Joseph Cemetery Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.