Helen E. Elder

Helen Elizabeth Elder, 93, of Washington, KS, died February 7, 2021 at her home. Visitation will be Thursday, February 11, from noon to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 12 at the Washington United Methodist Church. Rev. Dan Norwood will officiate. Sheila Ouellette is organist and the congregation will sing “In the Garden,” “Old Rugged Cross” and “When We All Get to Heaven”. The pallbearers will be Stephen Martin, Joshua Martin, Matthew Martin, Jonny Martin, Caleb Martin and Danny Martin. Burial will be in the Washington City Cemetery. Helen was born March 11, 1927 in Washington County, KS, daughter of Ernest and Eva M. (Gwin) Benne. After graduating from Morrowville Rural High School in 1945 she received Normal Training and taught school at Mahaska for two years. On June 20, 1948, she married Floyd Vernon Elder at the Morrowville United Methodist Church. They lived in rural Morrowville where they started their family. They were the proud parents of five children: Nancy (1949), Jolene (1951), Robert “Bobby” (1953), Leslie (1955) and Sandra (1958). Helen worked at the Swirly Top Steakhouse and Friendly Corners in Washington. She enjoyed her grandkids and great grandkids, doing genealogy, plants and flowers, and social gatherings. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd on August 15, 2008; children, Nancy Marie Tice, Jolene Elizabeth Thompson and Robert “Bobby” Elder; sister, Florence Freas; brother, Don Benne; and great grandchild, Carter Lucas. Survivors include her children, Les (Judy) Elder, Fairbury, NE, and Sandra (Eddie) Martin, Stockton, KS; sister, Olive Sullivan, Burlington, IA; 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established to the Washington United Methodist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. Funeral for Helen Elder Part 1 Funeral for Helen Elder Part 2 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen E. Elder, please visit our flower store.