Helen (Hendrickson) Keller

Helen (Hendrickson) Keller was born on September 21, 1935, in Clayton, Kansas. She passed on February 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of her daughters. Helen lived 90 glorious years, a full and happy life.

Memorial service to be held at First United Methodist Church, N. Broadway, Wichita, KS at 10:30 am, Friday, February 20, 2026, followed by a graveside service at Maple Grove Cemetery, located at 9th and Hillside. Following the service a lunch reception will be held back at the First United Methodist Church

Helen lived a full life, not wasting a minute of it; she will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Helen was the only child of Ervin T. and Alice M. (Frank) Hendrickson. Early life of Helen was happy and joyful. She was a bit of a tomboy growing up enjoying playing with the neighborhood kids, fishing with her dad and playing with dolls. She was an active 4H member where she often boasted about her blue ribbon for bed making.

Newly appointed Reverend Ray Keller at Shields, KS Methodist Church was told to visit the Hendrickson home. This was the first time Ray met Helen, and he was smitten. They married on December 18, 1955. The two of them shared a love of the Methodist Church, traveling in their RV, and sailing. Going on to have three beautiful daughters. Friends and family played an important part in everything they did. They shared 69 loving years together.

Helen was a wonderful seamstress, sewing her own clothes as well as the clothes of her three girls. Her love of flowers and decorating reflected in her home, as she was regularly decorating with ever changing decor.

Helen received her teaching degree from WSU; she loved teaching. Helen taught kindergarten for 27 years at USD 259.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Ervin T. and Alice M. (Frank) Hendrickson and loving husband of 69 years Ray L. Keller.

Survived by her daughters, Katherine Keith, Karen (Rollin) Karg, Kim (Richard) Posch; grandchildren, Barbara (Michael) Callanan, Michele (Randy) Haunschild, Aaron (Michelle) Close, Zachery (Kayla) Close, Jason (Brittany) Close, Richard Allen Posch II ;11 great grandchildren and agreat-great grandson as well as a great-great grandchild on the way.

A memorial has been established with: Wichita State University Foundation, Helen & Ray Keller Early Childhood Education Scholarship, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, Kansas 67260-0002.

Services are in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.