Helen Katherine Comfort

Helen Katherine (Burns) Comfort, 102 passed away at her home on Palm Sunday April 17, 2011 in Topeka, Kansas

Helen was born in Hiawatha, Kansas on January 16th, 1907 the daughter of James Willis and Gertrude (O’Neil) Burns.  She graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1928.  Following high school she attended Highland Community College and Emporia State University where she graduated with a degree in education.  She taught for nine years in a one room schoolhouse in Brown County, Kansas.

 On June 27th, 1940 Helen married Lowell who was the one and only love of her life.  Together they owned and operated Comfort Bowling Alleys in Topeka and Comfort Pest Control Inc. in Bellingham, Washington.

 Helen was a manager at Sears & Roebuck where she retired after 22 years.  She then worked for George Stanley at Stanley’s Flowers for 12 years.  She also assisted with various charities and was a volunteer for Treasures of The Czars, Easter Seals and Topeka Public Library.

 Helen was a beautiful and caring mother who loved her children and family until the last day of her life.  Next to her family she treasured the memories of growing up on the farm with her family and she treasured the years she worked for Sears & Roebuck.  She also enjoyed reading multitudes of books, baking, sewing and visiting with loved ones.

 Helen is survived by her son Jon Comfort, Topeka, KS, her grandchildren, Kevin Henao, Woodlands, TX, Katherine Jeanneret, Topeka, KS, Kristopher Henao, Topeka, KS, her sister Grace McKeehan, Wickenburg, AZ, her son-in-law Marcelino “Chick” Henao, Topeka, KS, seven great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

 Helen is also survived by her beloved extended family, Steve Mireault, Duluth, MN, Cathie Mireault, West Fargo, ND, Debbie Dekker, Grand Forks, ND, Penny Hiebert, Grand Forks, ND, Marilee Casarona-Orton, Phoenix, AZ, Mary Henao, Waterbury, CT, LeaAnn Rivers, Galveston, TX. Tom and Paige Sipp, Topeka, KS, Jennifer Ham, Topeka, KS and Ivy Eckert, Topeka, KS.

 Helen was preceded in death by her husband Lowell Comfort, her daughter Karen Comfort Henao, her granddaughter Kimberly Henao,  her brothers and sisters Robert Burns, Thomas Burns, Ruth Schultz and Alice Irwin.

 Visitation will be held on Thursday after 8:00 a.m. and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery.

 Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library for the Large Print Book Section sent in care of the funeral home, 800 SW 6th Ave. 66603.

 Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.