Helene Marie, daughter of John and Anna (Hamm) Bartsch, was born Dec. 9, 1894 in Newton, Kan.
On May 30, 1909 she was baptized upon the confession of her faith and received into the fellowship of the First Mennonite Church of Newton. She remained a member here until her death.
She spent two years (1910-1911 and 1926-1927) in the Academy at Bethel College, Newton, completing her course in Hesston Academy and Bible School in 1928. By this time she had been led to present her life for Christian service as a Deaconess. In August 1928 she entered the Bethel Deaconess Hospital School for Nurses and graduated, receiving her R. N. degree in 1931.
On June 11, 1933, the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, Sister Helene Marie along with three other Sisters was ordained. The special verse of Scripture given to her by Rev. J. E. Entz was II Corinthians 3:18, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord Who is the Spirit" (RSV).
Since her ordination, Sister Helene Marie devoted her life in ministering to the needs of the residents in the Bethel Home. She was matron of the Home from 1945 until the time of her death.
One of the Sister's favorite expressions seemed to be "I love you all." In that spirit she gave her time and strength gladly to those she could serve. We shall remember her as an example of the verse given her, beholding the glory of the Lord and being changed into His likeness from glory to glory.
Funeral services were held on July 5 at 9 a. m. in the Sister Frieda Memorial Chapel with Rev. John Thiessen in charge, and at 10 a. m. in the First Mennonite Church, Newton, with Rev. Paul Isaak officiating.
