Helen Wiens
PRAIRIE VILLAGE - Helen Marie
(Hendry) Wiens, 89, died Jan. 5, 2008, at her home in Prairie Village, where
she had resided the past five years.
She was born Dec. 31, 1918,
in Newton, the only child of Flora (Young) and Vance Hendry.
She married Richard Wiens on
March 22, 1944, in Newton. Following his service in World War II, they lived in
Newton, Birmingham, Mich., Kansas City and Kirkwood, Mo., before retiring to
the Kansas City area. He preceded her in death on Sept. 5, 2002.
Helen was a 1937 graduate of
Newton High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in music education in 1941
from Kansas State Teachers College, where she was a member of the Delta Sigma
Epsilon sorority. She held a master's degree in education from Webster
University.
She taught vocal music for
more than 20 years in elementary schools in the St. Louis area, including those
in Wentzville, Mo., St. Charles, Mo., and Parkway, Mo. She retired in 1987 from
the Parkway School District after serving many years as the vocal music teacher
at Claymont Elementary School.
An accomplished soprano and
pianist, she sang with numerous church choirs over the years, including
professionally with her husband at Christ Church Cranbrook while living in
Michigan. She had often been a soloist at worship services and weddings. In
retirement, she enjoyed singing for nursing homes in the Kansas City area as a
member of the Choraliers.
She was a member of the Sigma
Alpha Iota music fraternity for more than 60 years and loved participating in
Kansas City SAI activities, especially the Choraliers. She enjoyed painting
with her friends in the Keramic Club art group and swimming at the Red Bridge
YMCA. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church and its JoAnna Guild.
In later years, she sang with the choir at Cherokee Christian Church in Prairie
Village.
Survivors include two
daughters, Barbara (Frank) Titterington of Prairie Village, and Julie (John)
Wolpers of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Mary Anne (J.D.) Fair of
Fairway, Martha Titterington of Kansas City, Jane Titterington of New Orleans,
David Titterington of Niihama, Japan, John Wolpers of Columbia, Mo., and Annie
Wolpers of Cape Girardeau.
The family is grateful for
the care she received from her nurse, Stephanie Jones, and the staff at St.
Luke's Hospice.
Following a private memorial
service, burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
The family suggests memorials
to Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak, Kansas City, MO 64112
Cremation Society of Kansas
and Missouri is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the
family at www.kccremation.com.
