Helen Marie Dardis

Helen Marie Dardis, 85, joined her husband and loved ones in the peace of eternal life, when she passed away at her home in Lawrence, Kansas on Wednesday February 20, 2013. Helen was born to Frank and Beulah Williams on June 12, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri.
After graduating from Leavenworth High School, she worked as a secretary for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Leavenworth, KS. She married Michael Dardis at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 24, 1947.
While raising a family of nine children, Helen and Michael lived in Leavenworth, Kansas; Killdeer, North Dakota; Butte, Montana; and Sunflower Village, Kansas. She and her family lived in Eudora, Kansas until Michael’s death in October 1998. For many years, Helen was active with the Holy Family St. Theresa’s Society in Eudora. Helen retired from the University of Kansas, where she worked in the Watkins Student Health Center. After moving to Lawrence, she volunteered for Hospice Care of Douglas County, Kansas.
Helen was proud of her many loved ones who served in the military. She enjoyed traveling, music, and watching the Jayhawks – but her greatest enjoyment was being with her family. The achievements and adventures of her children, as well as their spouses and children, was a source of joy for her. Helen’s maternal devotion was most evident by her endless acts of love for her son, John. Helen’s sense of humor and kindness enriched the lives of all who knew her.
Helen is survived by her children Mary, Patrick, Mark, Gregory, Michael, Jeffrey, Anne, and John; sons-in-law Ross Shuman and Daryl Perry; daughters-in-law Patricia, Melissa, Candy, and Elizabeth; grandchildren Aaron, Brie, Emily, Amanda, Kelly, Travis, Andrew, David, Jacob, and Alyssa; great grandchildren, Sarah, Moriah, and Jordan; and sister Louise.
She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, daughter Kathryn, granddaughter Lili, grandson Brennan, sister Beulah, and brothers Frank, Francis, Jim, John, and Bill.
Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence.
A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Monday February 25, followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday February 26 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, and burial following in the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials in her name to the Cottonwood, Inc. Workshop for the Developmentally Disabled in Lawrence, Kansas; or to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, Kansas, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, KS 66044.
You can follow any condolences regarding Helen Dardis through rumsey-yost.com.