HELEN F. BUTLER, 96, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 25, 2008 at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield.

Born on November 2, 1911 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, she was the youngest of 12 children born to Jasper J. and Delilah (Demonbrun) Fleshman. Her father passed away when she was a baby, and she was raised by her mother and older siblings in Blackwell. She attended the Methodist Episcopal Church and her cradle roll shows that she was transferred from cradle roll to the beginners department in June of 1915. Helen and her mother moved to Dexter, Kansas in the 20's and both worked for Wesley and Ruby Ridgeway, helping keep house. They later moved to a farm nearby.

Her mother met and married Ed Stubbs. She acquired a step-brother, Frank Stubbs and a step-sister, Pearl Stubbs to her family. She also had a half-brother, from a previous marriage of her father, Jasper.

She was united in marriage on November 4, 1929 to Wesley Hiram Butler in Newkirk, Oklahoma. To this union, two children, Mildred Audine and Garold Wesley, were born. The couple farmed west of Dexter for many years. They later moved east of Winfield and farmed for J.L. Lunsford for about 4 years. They continued farming until 1957. Helen was employed at William Newton Memorial Hospital for about 11 years in the kitchen and at Good Samaritan Village as an aide. Mr. Butler preceded her in death on December 30, 1981 following 52 years of marriage.

She joined the First Christian Church in Winfield on March 22, 1970 and was active in many groups until her health failed. She visited rest homes and held bingo games for people in many retirement homes for more than 10 years. Helen was a good friend to many people who knew they could depend on her when they were in need. She loved her grand and great-grandkids with all her heart and enjoyed crafts, especially dolls and art of all kinds which she donated for bazaars, friends and family.

Her family includes:
Her son: Garold Wesley Butler and wife Raylene, and their children, Debra Starkey and husband Tom, and their children, Shannon of Wichita, and Brandon of Wellington, KS; Brett Butler and wife Mary and their children Zachary and Jessica all of Winfield, KS; and Susan Mayes and husband Jim of Hutchinson, KS;
Her daughter Audine's children, Roger King and wife Lynne of Wichita, and their son, Chris of Chicago, ILL; and Marilyn and Maurey Finuf of Wichita and their children, Aiden and Eric Sweeney, and Jamie and Ryan Turner all of Wichita.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Mildred Audine in 1995; 5 brothers, 6 sisters, 1 step-sister, 1 step-brother and 1 half-brother.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 28, 2008. The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M., that evening.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Helen's name be made to the First Christian Church in Winfield and Hospice Care of Kansas.

Online condolences may be made at www.milesfuneralservice.com.