Helen Iola Waggoner, 79, a long time Graham County resident passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Logan County Senior Living in Oakley. She was born November 5, 1944, to RC and Mary (Clark) Ray in a farmhouse south of Penokee. She was welcomed into family by her brother Ralph.
As a young girl, she attended school in Morland where she met the love of her life, Tim Waggoner. After graduating from Morland High School they were married June 3, 1962. The couple was blessed with four children: LaDonna, Galen Royer II, Angela, and Timothy “Gregg”.
Helen and Tim raised this family on the family farm south of Morland. Many fond memories were made there. Snow in the winter meant going out behind the house and sledding down the hills, then coming into the warm kitchen for hot homemade soup and a game of cards. Spring, summer, and autumn were very busy times; however, Sundays were spent down by the farm’s fishing pond.
Helen would always have a large garden where she would show that hard work and dedication always paid off. Helen loved flowers and had a special knack for arranging them. Her special talent with flowers eventually led her to a flourishing career. Many beautiful arrangements, wedding and sympathy flowers came from her shop, The Unicorn.
As their children married, Helen and Tim were blessed with a dozen grandchildren, all of whom agreed, Grandma and Grandpa made the best rhubarb jelly. Helen and Tim cherished every moment with them and their children.
In her spare time, and later at the Senior Center, Helen enjoyed reading, listening to music, and creating many beautiful things with flowers, clay and paint. In the evenings, Helen and her roommate and special friend, Maxine Zerr, loved to play Rummy-Q.
Survivors include three children; LaDonna (David) Slaughter of Oberlin; Galen Royer II (Kathi) Waggoner of Wakeeney; Timothy “Gregg” (Evone) Waggoner of Quinter; and 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; and her brother Ralph (Jeanine) Ray of Morland. She was preceded in death by her husband Tim; her parents; her infant daughter, Angela; and a nephew Calvin Ray.
Helen was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother. She cared deeply for all the friends she met along her life’s journey. Her smile, her laugh, and her genuine work ethic will be missed.
Funeral Services will be held at Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City, KS
Service is Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. till service time
Burial following at Morland City Cemetery, Morland, KS