Helen A. Hammes, 90, Seneca, KS, died Tuesday morning, July 21, 2009 at Crestview Manor care home, where she had been a resident since April 2006.

She was born December 2, 1918, on the Block homestead south of Seneca known as Kempler Switch, the daughter of Frank and Bertha Lorson Block. She attended the Blue Star Country School and Sts. Peter & Paul School. She worked for her neighbor Bertha Tangeman, doing laundry for the men at the CCC Camp at Lake Nemaha.

In 1936, Helen moved to Kansas City, MO where she helped several families with their children and did domestic work. In 1939 she returned to Seneca and worked for Amos Smith taking care of his mother for several years. She worked for Strathman’s Department Store on Seneca’s Main Street from 1941 to 1944.

On November 29, 1944 she married Lester H. Hammes at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. She raised their four children while Les farmed and worked for Winterscheidt Milling Company. In 1959 they purchased the Pool Hall in Seneca. They operated Les’ Recreation Hall until they sold it in September of 1982. Her husband died June 17, 1983 from a heart attack. She sold her home in November 1998 and moved to Terrace Heights.

Helen was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society in Seneca. She enjoyed playing cards, embroidery, and making baby quilts for her grandchildren. She volunteered at the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center for more than 20 years.

She is survived by three sons, Duane and wife Monica Hammes of Seneca, Lynn and wife Kristin Hammes of Topeka, and Alan and wife Donna Hammes of Seneca; a daughter Ann and husband Joe Studer of Beattie; a brother William Block of Leawood; a sister Grace Strathman of Seneca; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband Les, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Alda Wassenberg, Alma Randel, Bernice Fitzpatrick and her brother Francis Block.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Friday, July 24, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Helen’s memory to the Sts. Peter & Paul Building Fund, and sent in care of the family.