Helen Irene (Williams) Miller, 89, of Topeka, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024. She had just marked the one-year milestone of the passing of her beloved husband, Gerald “Jerry” Miller, and only a few days later, we know Helen has joined him and is holding hands with the man she loved, had two children with, and built an amazing life together throughout their 65 years of marriage. Helen was born July 19, 1934, in Kansas City, Kansas, the youngest child of Charles George and Nellie Fay (Hogan) Williams. She attended school in numerous small towns in Kansas, including Pittsburg, Williamsburg, Emporia and Kansas City, as the daughter of a minister who was transferred to a different church every three years. During her school years in Kansas City, Helen was an accomplished typist and stenographer, winning many city-wide competitions for speed and accuracy, skills that would be appreciated throughout her life, especially when it came to helping Jerry the genealogist! When her father was transferred again prior to her senior year, Helen insisted on not starting at another high school and instead, she completed her high school senior year and her first year of college in the same year at Central College in McPherson. This was a big step in Helen’s independence and assured she was managing her future, a major decision for a young woman who was mostly quiet and shy. After completing her Associate of Arts degree in 1953 in Language Arts and Business at Central, she made plans to complete her college degree, but, like most in the early 1950s, Helen needed to earn money for her ongoing studies.

Helen successfully secured a job for a year working as the secretary of the Superintendent of Schools in Dawes County, Nebraska. It was during this time that she first met her future husband, Jerry, through a mutual friend. Their first date was at a rodeo in Crawford, and they dated throughout her time in Nebraska. However, Helen was not sure Gerald was “mature enough” for a serious relationship, so, once again, Helen took a big step greatly impacting her future and decided to move to Seattle in 1954 to complete her college studies. During the interim, with Gerald’s charm, wit and consistent perseverance, they corresponded while she completed her studies and became engaged in 1956, the same year she received her degree at Seattle Pacific College in English Literature and Education. After Helen’s first year of teaching in Seattle, and with Jerry beginning his teaching career in Topeka, Helen returned to Kansas. Apparently, Jerry was in fact “mature enough” at this point in their courting! They were married on June 28, 1957, at the First Free Methodist Church in Salina, Kansas, and Helen’s father, Rev. Charles G. Williams, co-officiated at their wedding.

Helen substitute taught in the Topeka School District for a year, before the arrival of their son, David, in August 1958, and their family expanded again in January 1962 with the arrival of their daughter, Sharon. Until both kids were school-aged, Helen chose to be with her children and support them in their younger years. She did work part-time at Crosby’s Department Store during the holiday season and was well-known for her impeccable gift-wrapping capabilities and kindness. She stayed incredibly busy raising their family and volunteered in many ways including in their classrooms, as a Blue Bird/Camp Fire Girl Leader, and judging at high school debate tournaments. Beginning in the mid-1960’s, she worked for over 12 years as the Executive Secretary to the CEO of C-G-F Grain Company. Following this she worked at various places including Topeka Youth for Christ and Brewster Place, where she used her strong organization skills, bookkeeping and financial knowledge, as well as her sound judgement to further advance the accomplishments of the organizations. In 1985, she was hired as the Executive Assistant to the President of Hill’s Pet Products and successfully completed her working career there in 1996. Helen was a passionate, hard-working person and was a positive resource in any work environment.

As the daughter of a Free Methodist Church pastor, Helen’s faith was foundational throughout her life, marriage and family. She and Jerry were active members of the Topeka Friends Church and she faithfully served the church in many capacities, including as a Sunday School Teacher and as the Organist for over 25 years. For more than 35 years, she and Jerry were members of the Southern Hills Mennonite Church and she participated in many roles including serving at Treasurer and volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the I Care Food Pantry. In both churches, they formed strong friendships and were very active in the church governance. Helen also contributed to the community through other activities. She was a long-time volunteer at the Topeka Public Library, selecting and delivering books to homebound individuals. She also served on the Board of the YWCA of Topeka and was recognized in 1994 with their Women of Excellence Award.

Helen was most comfortable and her heart most filled with love in the roles of Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma, as well as Sister and Aunt. Especially in their retirement, Helen and Jerry enjoyed their time with their children and their families, spending time watching their grandchildren at softball games, theatre and music concerts, graduations and award ceremonies—as well as playing many games of Rook, Scrabble, Quiddler and Boggle. They also enjoyed travels around the US and abroad including cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Great Lakes, and Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. During these and other travels across the US to visit family members, Helen supported Jerry in his family genealogical research efforts and through their combined efforts, two books were published tracing Jerry’s ancestors and descendants, as well as completing extensive research on Helen’s roots, which extend back to President George Washington’s family.

Helen and Jerry celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2022, and their many years together were a testament of their devotion to each other, their love of family and their shared faith. They made many new friends and rekindled relationships with other friends when they moved to Brewster Place in 2020. Since his passing in May 2023, Helen remained active in the Brewster Place environment and the staff frequently commented on her kindness and gentle spirit.

Helen loved well and was very well loved by all with whom she came in contact. She had a great personality, an impish smile, and a contagious laugh. She was a lifelong friend, strong supporter of justice and equality, and extremely engaged in making her community better for all of those whose lives she touched. She was a remarkable person and her family and friends will miss her greatly. Our hearts are full knowing that she and the love of her life, Jerry, are together again.

Helen is survived by her son, David (Jennie) Miller of Topeka, and their children, Lesley (Reuben) Bretey and grandchildren, Ella and Cooper, of Olathe, KS, and Melissa Miller of Nashville, TN; daughter, Sharon (Brent) Shoemaker of Rehoboth Beach, DE and their children, Steven Bower of Bethesda, MD, Line Bower of Chicago, IL, Brook (Sarah) Shoemaker of Mannsville, NY, Emma Shoemaker of Canton, MA, and Paige Shoemaker of Washington, DC; and sister, Mary (Williams) Bauer of Tucson, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, her oldest sister, Ruth L. (Williams) Finger and her only brother, Charles G. Williams.

Helen’s wishes were to be cremated. A Memorial Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday May 28, 2024, at Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610. Helen's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to I Care, Inc. Food Pantry, 2914 SE Michigan Ave, Topeka, KS 66605.

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