Helen Wilmetta Schwien, 94, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at the Great Bend Regional Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas.
Helen was born on December 13, 1924, in Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of John and Rachel (Steinert) Karst. She grew up north of Galatia, Kansas, and attended the Galatia Country School. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Waldean Walter Schwien on June 17, 1945, in Bender Hill Trinity Lutheran Church in Bender Hill, Kansas. From this union Helen and Waldean were blessed with three children Ginger, John and James. Helen and Waldean lived on the Schwien family farm were they raised their three children. She was a hard working and dedicated homemaker and helped Waldean take care of the family farm. After 61 years of marriage, Waldean preceded Helen in death on July 08, 2006. She was a longtime member of the Bender Hill Lutheran Church where she played the organ for over 20 years and was also the choir director. She was also a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. She enjoyed cooking, singing in the Bender Hill Lutheran Church and St. John Lutheran Church choirs and enjoyed singing with the Dutchmasters Polka Band. She also enjoyed watching her grandsons and great grandsons race in the dirt track racing circuit. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her daughter Ginger L. Tittel (Ronnie) , sons John Schwien (Bonnie) and Jim Schwien (Gloria) all of Russell, Kansas; sisters Deloris Deutsch of Hoisington, Kansas, Norma Stricker (Glen) of Great Bend, Kansas, Margie Kraft of Ness City, Kansas, and Rita Thompson of Kansas City, Missouri; 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren and 12 step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 05, 2019, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, September 04, 2019 at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening. Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.