Obituary of Helen Watts

Helen Estelle Sofia Carlson Watts passed away on July 16, 2013 at Bethany Home, Lindsborg, KS. She was born February 20, 1916 in Lindsborg, KS to Abel and Ellen (Nilsson) Carlson. She was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Being the oldest child, she faithfully helped care for her brothers and sister. A sad time for the family was when her baby brother, Arnold Milton, was born on February 19, 1920 and passed away the next day. As a four year old, Helen tried to comfort her grieving mother by giving one of her baby dolls to her in place of her baby she had lost. She attended Elvings country school grades 1-8 and graduated from Lindsborg High School in 1934. After high school, Helen worked in Salina doing housework for a few months. She left for Kansas City in 1935, living in the home of Carl Wiberg for several years when he was a young boy (he became a well-known Covenant pastor). She was hired by the wealthy Ruedig family (the father worked for Eli Lilly & Company). When the father was transferred to Chicago, she moved with the family. While living with the family, she cared for the two young boys and served fancy meals to the family's guests. She made many friends during these years while working in Chicago. With Homer and Terence in the military service during WW2, Helen wanted to be closer to home and able to help with the farm. She also helped Dr. Holwerda's family with child care in the home. Then she began training as a telephone operator in McPherson. In McPherson, she met Herb Watts who became a friend. They were married on March 31, 1957 in a Salina church. She sang in the church choir and helped with the children. Helen was transferred to Manhattan, KS, in 1965. Helen and Herb were pillars in the Manhattan Covenant Church being very involved with supporting the pastor and his family, cleaning the church, greeting members, and doing whatever was needed. They spent many happy years in Manhattan enjoying new friends and family visits. They especially enjoyed having their nieces and nephews stop by to see them while they attended K-State. For many years, they made trips back and forth to Lindsborg as her parents required more help. She retired from AT & T after working 31 years enjoying the Pioneer Group gatherings. Eventually they moved back after her parents moved to Bethany Home. She was a regular helper in the church nursery. She babysat for years to help a Lindsborg young mother's Bible study group. Helen and Herb delivered sermon tapes to Bethany Home residents and shut-ins. They would visit shut-ins and members who were in the hospitals. They always enjoyed visiting family, friends, and neighbors. She helped take care of Mary's (her niece) three young sons until John remarried. Helen often called family members to ensure all was well. She especially checked on her siblings after their spouses passed away. She always called each family member: siblings, nieces, nephews, and all spouses to wish them a happy birthday on their special day. She treated all her nieces and nephews as her "kids". Herb continued to call her "kid" throughout their long marriage. Helen and Herb loved to travel using their camper, flying, or taking the train. They vacationed in much of the USA. Also, they flew to Copenhagen, Denmark, and then to Norway. They toured Copenhagen and Norway then took a train to Sweden. They rented a car, drove around to visit many relatives while in Sweden along with sightseeing. Helen was a walker; walking their dogs at least twice if not three times a day. Helen loved dogs and enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, watching the birds, rabbits, and squirrels. God has blessed Helen and Herb with unusually good health and they were able to celebrate 56 years of marriage on March 31, 2013. Helen's trademark was generously caring about other people, showing God's love throughout her long life of 97 years. Preceding Helen were her parents, infant brother Arnold Milton, brother Homer, brother-in-law Norris Peterson, sisters-in-law Margaret D. Carlson and Margaret I. Carlson, niece Mary Martin, nephew Daniel Carlson, great-nephews Brian Shultz and Joshua Peterson, great-niece Heidi Peterson, and great-great-nephew Caden Carlson. She is survived by her husband, Herb, brother Terence Carlson, sister Eunice Peterson, her baby dolls (nieces) Irene (Bill) Vance, Marlyse Keenan, Marsha (Jim) Wilson, Rachel (Aaron) Carlson, Mim (Pat) Crockett, Rita (Craig) Shultz, Cheryl (Bruce) Spare, Ann (Jim) Coen, Jane Carlson and nephews Donald (Kristen) Carlson, David (Marla) Peterson, Brian (Crista) Carlson, John (Jolene) Martin, step-daughter, Arlene Phillips, two step-grandsons, Kirk (Amy) Rolfs and Scott (Sharon) Rolfs, six step-great grandchildren, nephew Roger Tillberg, niece Janet (Bill) Keller along with a host of great and great-great-nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, July 19, 2013, from 4-7 p.m. with family present from 6-7 p.m. at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 20, at 1:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church with burial following at Smoky Hill Cemetery, Lindsborg. Memorials may be designated for the Evangelical Covenant church or Bethany Home in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington PO Box 386 Lindsborg, KS 67456. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com