Helen Elizabeth (Moore) Gilpin, 96, of Iola, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, at Windsor Place, Iola, where she was in hospice care after a recent fall at her home.
Born Aug. 8, 1916, in Topeka to Roy R. and Birdie (Greenough) Moore, she was the youngest of three children. Helen was a graduate of the University of Kansas. She worked for two years as a demonstration home economist for Oklahoma Natural Gas before marrying her childhood sweetheart, Howard K. Gilpin, on Sept. 14, 1940, in Lawrence. They moved to Iola in 1945.
An avid reader, card-player, KU sports enthusiast and community volunteer and booster, Helen also loved to cook and did so as long as she could. The First Presbyterian Church was very important to her. She served there as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher and member of the Presbyterian Women.
Other memberships included PEO, Unity Club, KU Alumni Association, Pi Beta Phi, Friends of the Bowlus, Friends of the Iola Public Library, Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, Allen County Animal Rescue Facility and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard, on March 25, 1992.
Survivors are her children Joan E. Golden and husband Webster, Lawrence, H. Kenneth Gilpin and wife Bobbie, Iola, and James S. Gilpin and wife Karen, Iola; sister-in-law, Norma Gilpin; grandchildren Meghan Orchard and husband Ward Worley, Gretchen Curtis and husband Jeff, H. Kenneth Gilpin III, Shawn Gilpin and wife Saundra, Matthew Sonner and wife Diane, Michele Sams and fiance Robert Gambill, Stephen Gilpin and wife Angie, Geoffrey Gilpin and wife Kristy, and Sarah Gilpin; 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; many special nieces and nephews; and caregivers Sharon Harrison and Lauralee McDermeit.
She was predeceased by brothers and their wives, George and Sis Moore, Riley and Winnie Moore, and brother-in-law Glen Gilpin.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church in Iola. The children will greet family and friends at the church beginning at 1 p.m.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola.
Memorials can be made to the Hospital Equipment Fund of Allen County Community Foundation and left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left on www.iolafuneral.com.
Helen Gilpin
