Helen Marie McDowell, age 92 years, of Great Bend, Kan., passed away on Tuesday morning, March 9, 2021 at River Bend Assisted Living in Great Bend. Helen was born on Oct. 31, 1928 at Salina, Kan. to Leo F. and Alta (Cooley) Hergenreder. In 1945 she graduated from high school in Winfield, Kan. Her secretarial skills took her to Wichita, Kan., Little Rock, Ark., Denver, Colo., and Kansas City, Mo.
She and her husband, Bill McDowell were married in 1986. They both retired in 1991 and moved to Missouri where they spent the next 20 years enjoying their rose, flower and vegetable gardens and cats and were avid readers. After her husband’s death in 2011 she moved to Great Bend to be with her family.
Helen felt blessed to be a part of her husband Bill’s family for 25 years. She was stepmother and grandmother to three children; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Survivors include two sisters Virginia Frizell and Cindi Wood, both of Great Bend, Kan.; nephews Eric Frizell (and partner Mary Turner), Neil (and wife Beverly) Frizell, Scott Wood (and partner Heather Sandell) and son Judson; great-nieces and great-nephews Erin Frizell (and husband, Michael) Norris, Reed Frizell, Anna Frizell, Robert Frizell; step-sons Walter Dick Jr. and Roger Alan Dick. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; one sister Mary Frances Hergenreder; and her husband Bill McDowell.
Helen was a kind and caring gentle soul. Even when seriously ill she always thought of others first. She will be greatly missed.
Cremation has been chosen. According to Helen’s wishes, no services are being planned at this time. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery at Great Bend, Kan. Memorials may be directed to Golden Belt Humane Society at Great Bend, Kan. Online condolences may be left for the family and a full obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.chartergreatbend.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 17, 2021
