Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home - Helen Marie Gast 1920 - 2015

In Loving Memory of

Helen Marie Gast

1920 - 2015

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:

Saturday, May 02, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Penwell-Gabel - Paola Chapel
305 N Pearl
Paola, KS 66071
913-294-2372

Service:

Saturday, May 02, 2015 at 2:00 PM
Penwell-Gabel - Paola Chapel
305 N Pearl
Paola, KS 66071
913-294-2372

Interment:

Holy Cross Cemetery
Paola, Kansas

Helen Marie Heger Gast, age 95, passed away April 25, 2015 at Aldergate Village, Topeka, Kansas.

Helen was born on March 15, 1920 in Selma, Iowa to Joseph William and Wilma McDowell Heger. They moved to Paola when she was nine.

She graduated from Paola High School in 1935 and attended one year at Ursuline Academy College. She married Leonard Gast on August 25, 1938 in Paola by Father Bartro.

Helen was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and St. Francis Circle. She enjoyed playing cards at the church recreation room with her friends.

She worked for Taylor Forge and Winkler and Winkler. She retired from the Miami County Clerk’s Office. At 95 she was able to write short hand as if she still used it and pleased the great grandkids by writing their names. They had never heard of such a thing as “short-hand”.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, daughter JoEllen Battin and brother Russell Heger. She is survived by her son and his wife Robert and Sally Gast of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren Brenda (Terry) Box of Paola, Michael Battin of Paola, Todd (Cynthia) Gast of Higginsville, MO, and Tara Gast (John) McEnroe of Golden, CO; nine great grandchildren Tyler Box, Brandon Box, Colton Gast, Taegan Gast, Cody, Gast, Ty Gast, Shae McEnroe, Mia McEnroe, and Jack McEnroe; two nephews David Heger and Bill Heger of Paola and a great nephew Justin Heger.

Helen was a “great old fashioned” cook and delighted family and visitors alike with her wonderful pies. She was always worrying about the welfare of her family and was compelled on many occasions to suggest that maybe they should just take precautions by staying home or other ways that might be safer. Her family and home were her whole world. She was satisfied where she was – we will miss her.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

To share a special memory of Helen or to leave a condolence message for her family, please click the share memories tab.

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Memories & Condolences

Starting in 1950, for five or six years my parents and I would make the trip from Ottumwa, Iowa to Paola, Kansas to visit my aunt (dad's sister) Wilma Heger and her family. We usually stayed a week or so. Helen would be in her early 30's then and about the same age as my parents. Helen would have been my first cousin even though we were 25 years apart in age. We went there under the pretense of seeing my aunt however we spent a good deal of our time visiting Helen and her family. Probably because her and my parents were so close in age. I have wonderful memories of those visits many years ago. I remember at the time thinking Helen was very pretty with a wonderfully dry sense of humor and the ability for making understatements, something I thought very amusing at the time. And still do. This was when they lived on a farm outside of Paola. There was a dog, cats and even on one trip a raccoon. I think she must have really enjoyed having animals. I remember her as a great cook, very kind and the home always seemed like a fun place. But the thing I remember the most was Helen always treated me like a little adult whenever I was around. If she and my parents were joking around, I was always included. She would look at me in a way that would make me think that her and I were in on the joke and it was something we were sharing. I am sorry to read of her passing but at 95 I know she led a long an rich life and I'm sure she was loved by many. Over the years our families got together less often and as I grew up years would go by without seeing each other. I know her and my mom stayed in touch even after my dad passed. I can say she provided me with many wonderful memories of that time in my life. She was truly a good person.

~ Douglas McDowell - August 15, 2015

Sorry to hear about Helen. Jo Ellen and I were good friends, and I got to know her Mom through the years.

~ Cherrie Kramer - April 29, 2015

Brenda and family - Your grandmother was a beautiful person, she always looked fantastic and enjoyed her long life, especially her family. May God be close to you during this time and may your precious memories bring you peace and comfort.

~ David & Dixie Borovicka - April 28, 2015

Brenda and family, I remember your grandmother very nice and loved her family. So sorry but she had a good long life. Prayers are with you all.

~ Faye Wilson - April 27, 2015