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Blanche (Jelinek) Helwick (1918-2020)

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Blanche (Jelinek) Helwick died peacefully Jan. 29, 2020, just short of her 102nd birthday.

She was born Feb. 25, 1918 in Ellsworth, Kan. to Joseph and Anna (Bezemek) Jelinek. Blanche was proud of her Czech heritage and grateful that she and her siblings were able to speak the native language of their parents. She attended school in Ellsworth, graduating in 1936. While in high school, she achieved recognition as an outstanding debater throughout the region. In her senior year,  she and her debate partner won second place in the Kansas High School Debate Tournament. Following high school, she attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. and later the University of Texas. On  Sept. 1, 1937 she married Charles (Kenny) Helwick of Salina.
When her husband entered the army during the Second World War, she returned to Stephens College and worked as a counselor while also earning an Associate of Arts Degree. After the War, they returned to Ellsworth and started their business, Helwick Motor and Equipment Co., which they owned and operated for over 30 years. In 1994 they moved to Salina.

An active member of the community, Blanche served on the school board, president of the Weslyan Service Guild, a director of the Ellsworth County Historical Society, chairwoman of the Cancer Society, and was active in the Methodist Church, Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, and past president and seventy year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

She had many interests but reading and playing bridge were near the top of the list. If the fish were biting, and even when they weren’t, she and Kenny enjoyed boating and fishing with friends and  family. Her grandchildren always looked forward to visiting at Grandma and Gramps’ house because they knew they were in for adventure, surprises, picnics (which she loved, no matter the wind) and lots of trips to the Dairy Queen. Their parents liked those trips, too.

Blanche loved all things Kansas, its history, its beautiful rolling hills and broad vistas, its sunflowers, wild flowers, and, of course, Russell Stover chocolates! She died on Kansas Day.

She is survived by her daughter, Margot (Stephen) Kurtz of Rochester, Minn.; grandchildren, Christopher Kurtz of Minnetonka, Minn. and Annie Van Gorp of Edina, Minn.; great-grandsons, Alex and Michael VanGorp of Edina, Minn.; niece, Judy (Dave) Smits of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Bezemek and Jelinek cousins.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny; her parents, Joe and Anna; siblings and their  spouses, George (Goldie) Jelinek, Mildred (Milton) Mohn; brother-in-law, Henry Helwick; sister-inlaw, Mary Helwick Deming; and nephew, Joseph E. Jelinek.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring. 

Condolences or memorials of donor’s choice may be directed to Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, Kan. 67401.