Wichita - Helen St. Clair, 89, died January 4, 2013 at Golden Living Facility, Wichita, Kansas. She was born on May 30, 1923 at Lynch, KY the daughter of Ben and Vera Bates.

Helen spent most of her adult life in Kansas, raising her five children in the Dodge City area, then later moving to Wichita. She had many domestic skills and talents including sewing her children's cloths, crocheting gifts for hope chests, camping, fishing and cooking huge Sunday breakfasts for her family. One of her great loves was bowling with her friends. She continued to bowl two to three times a week until only the last few years when her health prevented her from doing so. Helen had a sharp mind and a passion for justice at wrong doings and didn't mind voicing her opinions at such times. One never needed to wonder where they stood, she would always let you know.

She is survived by her sister Hazel and brother in law Jerry Wiewel, along with her two nephews Jerry and Jim Wiewel and their families, all of Wichita. Helen leaves her four remaining children, Beverly J. Jones of Arden, WA., Ben F. Looney of Dodge City, Barbara J. Fangman of Eltopia, WA., and Donna M. Romesburg of Fort Smith, AK., together with their spouses and children. Helen's legacy includes 20 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren. She had a "spunkiness" to those who knew her well. She was greatly loved by many and will be deeply missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Ben Bates, and Vera Teeter, as well as her youngest daughter Connie Diane (Looney) Burton.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Dick Robbins presiding. Burial will follow at Greencrest Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Monday, January 7, 2013 from 12:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Dodge City Community College Nursing Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home.