Helen Marie Gast

Helen Marie Heger Gast, age 95, passed away April 25, 2015 at Aldergate Village, Topeka, Kansas. Helen was born on March 15, 1920 in Selma, Iowa to Joseph William and Wilma McDowell Heger. They moved to Paola when she was nine. She graduated from Paola High School in 1935 and attended one year at Ursuline Academy College. She married Leonard Gast on August 25, 1938 in Paola by Father Bartro. Helen was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and St. Francis Circle. She enjoyed playing cards at the church recreation room with her friends. She worked for Taylor Forge and Winkler and Winkler. She retired from the Miami County Clerk"s Office. At 95 she was able to write short hand as if she still used it and pleased the great grandkids by writing their names. They had never heard of such a thing as "short-hand". Helen was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, daughter JoEllen Battin and brother Russell Heger. She is survived by her son and his wife Robert and Sally Gast of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren Brenda (Terry) Box of Paola, Michael Battin of Paola, Todd (Cynthia) Gast of Higginsville, MO, and Tara Gast (John) McEnroe of Golden, CO; nine great grandchildren Tyler Box, Brandon Box, Colton Gast, Taegan Gast, Cody, Gast, Ty Gast, Shae McEnroe, Mia McEnroe, and Jack McEnroe; two nephews David Heger and Bill Heger of Paola and a great nephew Justin Heger. Helen was a "great old fashioned" cook and delighted family and visitors alike with her wonderful pies. She was always worrying about the welfare of her family and was compelled on many occasions to suggest that maybe they should just take precautions by staying home or other ways that might be safer. Her family and home were her whole world. She was satisfied where she was " we will miss her. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. To share a special memory of Helen or to leave a condolence message for her family, please click the share memories tab.