Helen Southern, of Hutchison, Kansas, died April 12 at her home in the Hester Care Center at Wesley Towers.

She was born Dec. 18, 1920 in Portland, Ore., the daughter of Ernest and Ida Elizabeth Heidkbrink.

She has been residing in Hutchinson since 2001. Her previous residences were Wichita and Ellinwood, Kansas, as well as Portland.

Her occupation was secretary and tax clerk with the Sedgwick County Treasurer’s office. Her hobbies included playing bridge and golf, painting landscapes and still lifes, and making personal greeting cards.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wichita, served in the Altar Guild, and taught Bible School.

She married William S. Southern in 1942. He died March 20, 2001.

Surviving her are a son, William S. Southern Jr., of Hutchinson; Joan Pivonka, of Ellinwood; and Nancy Southern, of Deer Harbor; and a brother, Bill Heidtbrink, of Portland; plus four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by sisters Esther Fort and Ruth Phipps.

A service was held for her in the chapel in Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. There was also an interment service in Ellinwood.

Suggested memorials are to the Wesley Towers Employee Scholarship Fund or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements were by Kimple Funeral Home of Ellinwood.