Alva Review-Courier -

Funeral services for Helen Erma Janzen will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Alva with Pastor Chris Ruwaldt officiating. Burial will follow at the Alva Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. There will be a visitation with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.

Helen Erma Janzen, daughter of the late Abraham and Sara Wiens, was born June 11, 1928, in Meade, Kansas, and passed away April 23, 2024, in Alva, Oklahoma, at the age of 95 years, 10 months and 12 days.

She was raised in Meade, Kansas, and graduated from high school in 1946. Helen went on to nursing school and became a registered nurse in Hutchinson, Kansas. She was united in marriage to Harold Barney Janzen on April 21, 1953, in Meade, Kansas. They raised their two daughters, Virginia Lee and Mary Elizabeth.

Helen and Harold moved around quite a bit for Harold's job. They lived in Okeene for six years, and Topeka, Kansas, for three years, in Tulsa for a year and Dallas, Texas, for 11 years, before moving to Alva in 1990. Helen always found a job as a nurse wherever they were, and she retired at the age of 82 from Share Medical Center.

She was a member of First Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for years, played bells, and enjoyed playing the piano. Helen was involved in Garden Club, enjoyed reading and, after moving to The Homestead, she enjoyed playing card games and Bingo.

Besides her parents, Abraham and Sara, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her granddaughter, Bailey Shae Rhodes; her brothers George, Walter and Bill Wiens; and her sister, Mary Ann Westfall.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Stephens and husband, Rusty J., of Alva; grandchildren Megan Ream and husband Clint of Cherokee, Aaron Bierig and wife Leah of Drummond, Hayden Bierig and wife Nicole of Woodward, Jack McMichael and wife Sara of Bixby, Lacey Rhodes and fiancé Brandon Wallace of Tulsa, and Stetson Rhodes of Hardtner, Kansas; great-grandchildren Jaden and Aniya January; Giazmin Evans; Alijah Monty; Mae McMichael; Tyson and Colton Ream; Wylie, Kyndal, Kennedy, Emerli, Aaron Mac and Austin Bierig; Harper, Whitley and Averie Bierig; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the First Baptist Church.

Remembrances may be shared with the family at http://www.marshallfuneralhomes.com.