LARNED — Helen Elizabeth (Davis) Starr, 91, passed away Jan. 7, 2013, at Larned Healthcare Center, Larned.
She was born Dec. 15, 1921 at Wiley, Colo., the daughter of James Columbus Davis and Helen Irene Stahlman Davis.  She was a retired schoolteacher, business owner and member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Shiley Homemakers, and American Legion Auxiliary all of Burdett.  She also served as a Girl Scout leader in Elk City,  Grandma Rose at Pawnee Heights West School and was a officer for the McPherson College alumni for a number of years.
Helen graduated high school at age 16 and graduated from McPherson College at age 20. On Aug. 13, 1945, she married H. Francis Starr in Las Animas, Colo.  She was well known for her holy pies (they all went to church) and encouraging her children in all their creative endeavors, including unicycle riding, knitting, music and sewing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis, infant daughter, Cheryl Jean and sister, Ruth Durham.  
She is survived by her brother, H. Virgil Davis, Aurora, Colo., and her children, Deborah and husband Alan Coddington, Olathe; Janis and husband Bill Fairchild, Larned; Elaine and husband Bob Voos, Russell; and son, Russell and wife Maria Starr, McPherson; eight grandchildren, eight step grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and numerous step -great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at United Methodist Church, Burdett, with Pastor Brad McCoy presiding.  Cremation will follow the service.  Inurnment will be in Browns Grove Cemetery, Burdett, at a later date.  Visitation will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Morell Funeral Home, Larned.
Memorials may be sent to Burdett United Methodist Church or Burdett Senior Center in care of Morell Funeral Home. Personal condolences may be left at www.morellfuneralhomellc.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Morell Funeral Home*
 P.O. Box 124
 Larned, KS 67550-0124.
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 9, 2013