Helen Marie (McPherson) Hickel, 89, died July 17, 2024. Born March 9, 1935, to Walter Ray McPherson and Edith (Davis) McPherson in Perry/Noble County, Okla. The family moved to Kansas in 1940. She later graduated from Chase High School in 1952, and attended Fort Hays State where she met Joseph Hickel. They married Dec. 29, 1954, and celebrated 57 years before his death June 20, 2011.
Helen was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Altar Society of Ellinwood. She was a member of Grove Park Golf Club and several bridge clubs. She cheered on her beloved KC Royals, KU Jayhawks, and KSU Wildcats sports teams. For many years, she served as organist for the Saturday evening mass at St. Joseph’s Church. She oversaw Ellinwood youth bowling for several years and was an avid bowler herself. She coached summer high school fast-pitch softball, even taking one team to State. Helen was employed as bookkeeper for several local small businesses and in area banks before retiring.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Norma Chambers, infant brother Charles Ray, and a great-grandson Rowan Joseph-Kai Toles. Survivors are daughters Diana (Paul) Zecha, Hoisington, and Pamela (Rich) Koester, Hoisington. Sons are Greg Hickel, Ellinwood, Scott (Deb) Hickel, Denver, Colo., and Kevin (Angie) Hickel, Manhattan. Grandchildren: Bethany Ramsey, Kyle and Steven Zecha, Lacey, Brianne, Jacquelyn, and Rylie Koester, MacKenzie Koester-Smith, Elisha Toles, Josh Hickel, Caden and Greyson Hickel; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will take place 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 22 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood with Father Terrance Klein officiating. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood. Visitation will take place Sunday, July 21 from 1-6 p.m. at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Rosary/vigil will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church Sunday evening. Memorials to St. Joseph Endowment Fund or St. Joseph’s Church in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.