Helen Rhea

Obituary " Helen M. Rhea Helen M. Rhea, age, 84, of Paola, Kansas, died May 7, 2008 at Kindred Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. She was born April 13, 1924 at Drexel, Mo., the daughter of August and Elizabeth Mae (Ellis) Hanser. In the 1940"s she worked at First National Bank in Olathe and the U.S. Naval Air Station at the Olathe/Gardner Airport until 1945 when she married Jack H. Rhea Dec. 8, 1945 in Olathe and moved to Paola. They had 4 children, Karen, Deanna, Jack II and Debbie. Helen worked with her husband Jack in the Jack Rhea Ford dealership for almost 30 years. After Jack"s passing in 1982, Helen went to work at Kansas University as a house director in the SIGMA NU DTD fraternity house for 12 years. While there she was chosen by the university to serve on a committee to change the Statement of Documents, which was a great honor to be chosen for this committee. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Paola for 61 years, the Paola Country Club and Olathe Garden Club. She worked for 2 years at Miami County Bank which changed its name to Team Bank. She worked part time at Miami County Administration for 4 years in human resources. Helen always had a smile on her face and loved being out among people and playing golf. She truly enjoyed being outdoors. The family had an operation from the 60"s and 70"s of over 200 acres of apple orchards in Miami County. Others preceding her in death were her parents, daughter Karen, grandson Jacob and 2 brothers Harold and Carl Hanser. Survivors include 2 daughters, Deanna and husband Don Martin, Olathe, Ks.; and Debbie Rhea , Shawnee Mission, Ks.; 1 son, Jack and wife Carol Rhea, Osawatomie, Ks.; 5 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 1 step great grandchild; 1 brother, Vern Hanser, Olathe, Ks.; and 1 sister, Beverly Kyle and husband Bill, Lawrence, Ks. Services will be at 10:00am Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Paola Methodist Church. Visitation will be Sunday from 6-8pm at Penwell-Gabel Chapel, 305 N. Pearl, Paola, Ks.. Burial will be in the Paola Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association or Community Blood Bank. To leave family condolences go to Penwell-Gabel.com. United Methodist Church 209 S. Silver Paola KS Service: Monday, May 12, 2008 10:00 AM Visitation: Sunday, May 11, 2008 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM