Helen Mikesell Garrett

Mrs. Garrett died Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Baldwin Care Center.

She was born Jan. 2, 1910, in Fredonia, the daughter of Edwin David and Alice Browning Mikesell.

She graduated from Fredonia High School in 1927. She attended Baker University for a year, Kansas City Art Institute for two years, and Chicago Academy of Fine Arts for a year.

Mrs. Garrett worked at Hallmark Cards as an artist in the design department from 1931 to 1940, and worked as a freelance art teacher in Lawrence. She was a co-founder of Art in the Park and a charter member of the Lawrence Art Guild.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Lawrence, where she was among the first to help design and produce the altar banners, including the one for Easter. She was also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at Baker University, University Women’s Club at Kansas University, Ventura Club, Green Thumb Garden Club, Kansas Ornithological Society, Jayhawk Audubon Society and Baldwin Bird Club.

She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Watkins Community Museum of History.

She married Richard B. Garrett on Aug. 30, 1940, in Kansas City, Mo. He died June 3, 1998.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Wright, Baldwin, and Nina Haught, Emporia; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will greet friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

The family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church or Meals on Wheels in Lawrence, sent in care of the mortuary.

E-mail condolences may be sent to info@warrenmcelwain.com subject: Garrett.