Ft. Dodge - Helen Ann Zecha, 100, passed away on April 19, 2025 at St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City. She was born on July 7, 1924 at Odin, the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Reif) Hitschmann.

Helen grew up and attended schools in Odin. On May 17, 1949 she married William Zecha in Odin. After their marriage they moved to a farm near Waterloo, Kansas where they resided for 54 years. In 2005 they moved to the Kansas Soldiers Home at Ft. Dodge. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking and quilting and later enjoyed the activities at the soldiers home especially bingo. Helen could always be found with candy in her room and was fond of her Caramel M&M's.

She was a member of the St. Andrews Catholic Church of Wright and the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Coleen Albert and husband Gene of Galena, Missouri; four grandchildren, Rebecca Lee, Michael Albert, Chris & Lori Albert, and Shawn and Liz Albert; 11 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William R. Zecha; a sister, Lenora Meyeres; and three brothers, Joe, Clarence, and Hermes Hitschmann.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Church on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Ted Stoecklein presiding.  Rosary will be held at 9:30 AM prior to the mass. Burial will follow at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery in Ft. Dodge.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Thursday, April 24, 2025 from Noon to 8:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Soldiers Home Activity Fund in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.