Helen Taylor, 97

Helen Marie Taylor, 97, passed away Sept. 3, 2023, in Villisca.
Helen Taylor, daughter of G. David and Rena (Focht) Sandquist, was born Dec. 30, 1925, near Elliott. She lived all her life in the Grant and Elliott community. Helen graduated from Elliott High School in 1943 and taught country school until her marriage to Jack M. Taylor on June 30, 1946. They farmed until 1978 when they moved to Grant, where she worked part-time at the post office for 21 years, retiring in 2001. Jack and Helen were married 63 years and were the parents of three children, Linda, Bill, and Roy.
Helen was a member of the Grant United Methodist Church, sang in the choir and for funerals for many years, and taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Grant American Legion Auxiliary for 64 years, serving many offices in the unit and county. She was a former 4-H leader and belonged to several neighborhood clubs. Helen loved to quilt and do handwork, wrote many cards and letters to the elderly and shut-ins, made lots of pies and cream puffs, and was a collector of Snoopys, spoons, and postcards.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, in 2009; her parents; stepmother, Hope; and brothers, Virgil, his wife Evelyn; and Ross and his wife Doris; as well as brothers-in-law, Loren F. Taylor, and Vernon Taylor and his wife Phyllis.
She is survived by daughter, Linda (Robert) Staiert of Topeka, Kan.; son, Bill (Nancy) Taylor; and son, Roy (Karen) Taylor, all of the Grant area; grandchildren, Angie Staiert (husband Jason Comstock) and John Staiert all of Topeka, Kan.; Loren P. Taylor of Elliott; and Bob (Genie) Taylor, Chris (Erin) Taylor, and Kari Taylor, all of the Grant area; great-grandsons, Adam, Noah, Jack, and Jordan in Kansas and Shane, Colten, Austin, Carter, and Caleb near Grant; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life was held Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at the Elliott Community Building. A private family burial will take place at the Grant Cemetery.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.