Lois Darlene Helm, 86, Lawrence, passed away on April 4th, 2024, in her home. A visitation will be held Friday, April 12th from 5pm to 6:30pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Following the visitation, the family welcomes all friends and family back to the Helm residence to gather for stories & an evening of remembrance.
Lois was born on March 15th, 1938, in Lawrence, KS and is the daughter of Harry & Elizabeth (Lamb) Bouton. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1955. That same year, Lois married the love of her life Odis “Lee” Helm on March 26th. Following high school, she worked at John Haddock Ford, but most of her career was spent at Curtis 1000 & Capitol Federal, all in Lawrence. After retiring, she longed for something more. She spent many years loving kids when she opened Lolo’s Daycare.
She was an animal lover, especially dogs. In her younger days, she was a member of Knights of Columbus and Eagles Lodge. She enjoyed camping with friends & loved ones and enjoyed a night on the town going dancing with her husband at the Shiloh Club. Lois enjoyed fishing, painting ceramics, crocheting & needlepoint. She was a life-long night owl who used to stay up into the wee hours playing Pinocle & Pitch with her siblings. She had a fondness for filling up carts while shopping and could often be heard hooting and hollering over Kansas Basketball rooting for the Jayhawks. She loved her family fiercely and had a great fondness for all her grandkids.
Lois was preceded in death by her siblings Edwin Bouton, Sara Ruth (Bouton) Davenport, Joan (Bouton) Peavler, Daryl Bouton and her son Larry Helm.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Odis “Lee” Helm of the home, her daughter Lori Petrie (Matt Schmidt) of Baldwin City, Granddaughters Kari (Ken) Brungardt of Lawrence, Amanda (Kyle) Davis of Lawrence, Grandson Brandon (Chandler O’Neal) Schmidt of Baldwin City. Great-grandchildren Faythe Brungardt (Henry Peal), Jackson Brungardt (Brooklyn), Brayden “Bray” Ballew, Lawson Brungardt, Cohen Davis, Nash Davis, Bowie Fuller. Great-Great grandchildren Kenzleigh Brungardt, Lily Peal, James Brungardt, along with many nieces & nephews and a large extended family.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in Lois name to Douglas County VNA Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association or Baby Jay’s Legacy of Hope.
The family encourages all to come casually or in your favorite KU Jayhawks gear.
