ANNA HELEN RUTH (WESTIN) MURET, 91, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, January 5, 2009 at Good Samaritan Village in Winfield.

Born on March 3, 1917 in Courtland, Kansas, she was the daughter of Walfrid and Clara (Franson) Westin, Swedish pioneers in Kansas. Helen grew up on a family farm near Courtland in a community where Swedish was spoken as well as English and she was therefore bilingual and bicultural. Helen graduated as class Salutatorian from Scandia High School in 1934, where she was also assistant editor of the school paper. She later attended college at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and then Kansas State College of Agriculture and applied Science in Manhattan, Kansas. Helen graduated with a degree in home economics.

She was employed for the Federal government as a home economist in the Farmers Home Administration in Cowley and Sumner counties in Kansas. She later was employed as a substitute teacher for Winfield High School.

She was united in marriage on April 24, 1942 to Raymond C. Muret in Winfield, Kansas. The couple made their first home on a farm in the Cambridge, Kansas area. They later moved to the Winfield area. Mr. Muret preceded her in death on December 1, 1999.

Helen was a member of the Tisdale United Methodist Church., the Chapter CU, PEO and of the former Cowley County Home Economics Club. She had also served as a 4-H leader. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, sewing and traveling. She and her husband had visited 21 foreign countries, including Sweden, her mother's birthplace, and 47 of the United States.

Her family includes:
Her son: William E. Muret and wife Nancy of Winfield, KS;
Her daughters: Jeanne Louise Schmitt of Great Bend, KS; and Rita Ann Wiles and husband Bob of Marienthal, KS;
Her 8 grandchildren: Jason and Allen Schmitt, Jennifer Berning, Gen Wells, Peter and Michael Browning, and Caitlin and Annelise Muret;
Her 9 great-grandchildren: Caitlin and Haley Schmitt, Paige and Lane Wells, Aubrey, Luke and Jackson Berning, and Colson and Margaret Browning; and
A host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Carl Westin, her sister, Francis Williams, and her grandson, Russell Wiles.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 9, 2008, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, south of Winfield. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. The family will greet friends during this time.

Memorials have been established in Helen's name for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, or the charity of donor's choice. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.