Helen Henrietta Droge, 96, of Topeka died on Monday, December 23, 2013 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka.

She was born May 13, 1917, on a farm northeast of Axtell the daughter of Louis and Susanna Dalsing Hasenkamp. She grew up there, attended Clear Creek School, and helped on the family farm. She did domestic work and helped care for newborn babies in the homes.

On February 22, 1938, she married Francis J. Droge at St. Michael’s Church at Axtell. They lived and farmed northeast of Axtell and west of Axtell and moved to a farm north of Beattie in 1958. After her children left home, she worked as a nurses aid at the Marshall County Care Home and then at Mary Marshall Manor in Marysville. She also worked at Twin Valley and retired in 1974. Her husband died November 4, 1982. In 1995 she moved to Topeka and did babysitting for her grandchildren. Her daughter Julie cared for her mother in the final years of her life.

She was a member of St. Mathew’s Church in Topeka and a former member of St. Malachy’s. She was an excellent seamstress and also enjoyed quilting and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her husband Francis J. Droge on November 4, 1982; a daughter, Carol Sue Kopp on Oct 16, 1964;and siblings; Edward, Melinda Lierz, Fred, Alfred, Amanda Brucken, Mildred Holthaus, Raymond, Leo, Virgil, Urban and Agatha Brucken.

Survivors are two sons, Louis Droge, Topeka and August Droge, Walton, KS; a daughter, Julie Ann Droge, Topeka; two grandsons; and two great-grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, December 28, 2013 at St. Malachy’s Church, Beattie. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca at 2 & 7 P.M. Friday, December 27, 2013.

Memorials may be given for St. Malachy’s Cemetery and sent in care of the family.