Helen King

Helen Louise Smith King, 83, of Topeka, formerly of Manhattan, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at Brewster Health Center in Topeka. She was born on May 18, 1925 in Manhattan, the daughter of Murrill and Etta M. Fair Smith. She graduated from Manhattan High School in 1943 and from Kansas State University in 1947 with a BS/Home Economics & Business with high honors and a minor in Journalism and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Helen was an active member of Highland Park United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and was a church historian and archivist. Helen married Glenn G. King on May 13, 1949 in Aberdeen, Maryland. He preceded her in death on September 27, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her brother, James E. Smith. Survivors include her children, Karl E. King, Martin A. "Marty" (Christie) King, Anita K. Coker, Connie L. (Mike) Kraus, five grandchildren, Jarrod D. Coker, Brett A. Coker, Jennifer M. King, Heather M. King, Travis M. Kraus, three great-grandchildren, Cameron D. Coker, Zoey M. Skinner-Coker, Kayden D. Coker, her sister, Jean F. Brown and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Highland Park United Methodist Church. Graveside committal services will follow at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Valley View Memorial Gardens just east of Manhattan on Hwy. 24. Helen will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave., Topeka, KS 66605. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 4125 SW Gage Center Dr., Suite LL-15, Topeka, KS 66604 or the Topeka Genealogical Society, 2717 SE Indiana Ave., Topeka, KS 66605 or the Kansas Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66615. The family has set up a memorial tribute and can be viewed at www.christieking.com/helen.