Vernon W. Helms

Vernon W. Helms, 93, Linn, died Thursday, March 16, 2017 at the Linn Community Nursing Home. Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, March 19, at the Ward Funeral Home in Linn, KS. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 20 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Linn. Pastor David Gruoner officiated. Sheila Ouellette accompanied the congregation as they sang "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me," "Be Still My Soul" and "Abide With Me." Pallbearers were Brad Ohlde, Troy Lange, Kevin Peters, Kyle Peters, Travis Wohler, Clayton Peters and Spencer Johnson. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Vernon was born July 19, 1923 at Strawberry Township, Linn, KS to Ernest and Ella (Meyer) Helms. He was baptized on July 22, 1923 at Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. Paul Stolp and was confirmed March 21, 1937 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He married Eva Carson on August 19, 1945 at Zion Lutheran Church by Rev. W.G. Biel. To this union five daughters were born, Carol, Edith, Joan, Jeanette and Sandra. Vernon loved to farm and feed cattle. He loved singing and sang in the mixed choir and men’s choir at Immanuel Lutheran and later at Zion Lutheran. He also sang many years in the Messiah. Vernon served as a church elder at Immanuel and Zion and was on the committee to form Linn Lutheran School Association. He also served on the committee for the Linn Community Nursing Home. Vernon loved dancing, especially the polka. He would play cards with friends and family and enjoyed traveling. He loved attending family gatherings and spending time with his grandchildren. Vernon retired from the farm and moved to Linn in the early 80’s. Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Jeannette; son-in-law, Rodney Ohlde; great grandson, Luke Savage; three brothers, Lawrence, Elden and Wilbert; and brothers-in-law, Jim Carson and LeRoy Schaefer. Vernon is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eva; daughters, Carol Ohlde, Linn, Edith (Roger) Lange, Clay Center, Joan (David) Wohler, Clay Center, Sandra (Claire) Wohler, Linn; son-in-law, Mike Peters, Linn; seventeen grandchildren, forty-seven great grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Lila Schaefer, Linn and Leona Carson, Fremont, NE. A memorial fund is established to the Zion Lutheran Church or Linn Lutheran School. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, PO Box 157, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vernon W. Helms, please visit our flower store.