Helen Virginia Bass

Helen Virginia Bass, 98, died Tuesday, January 12, 2010, in Chanute, Kansas. She was born April 10, 1911 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the daughter of James McKee and Frances (Dodge) Beck. She grew up in Fort Scott and Joplin, Missouri, and was married to Perl Bass in Joplin in 1930. Together they had a daughter, Patsy, and before their son Perl Malery was born, her husband, Perl Bass died in a mining accident in 1932. Helen was a single parent to her two children during the Great Depression and remarried in 1939 to Delno Bass. They had three children, Virginia Lee, born in 1941 and David Lee, born in 1943, who both died in infancy. Their daughter Janet was born in 1947. Helen, being the sole survivor of her generation in her family, in addition to the above mentioned, was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Louise Singmaster of Fort Scott, Ruth Burdick of St. Petersburg, Florida, George Beck of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Ralph Beck of Seattle, Washington; her husband Delno Bass; her son, Perl Bass; her son-in-law, Bud Neuenschwander; great grandchildren, Chris Sims and Joe B. Sims; and great-great grandson, Tyler Lee Neuenschwander. Throughout her 98 years, she was an inspiration to her friends and family. She was an avid gardener and seamstress. She knitted and crocheted and created clothing, costumes and home decor for her family. She also enjoyed feeding the songbirds. After Delno"s death, she moved from Weir, Kansas to Fredonia, and then to Chanute. Helen maintained a positive and hopeful outlook on life and although frail, she had a twinkle in her eyes and always had a smile and a wave for family, friends and visitors. Helen"s survivors include: Daughters: Patsy Neuenschwander of Fredonia, KS Janet Wiglesworth and her husband, Tim of Fairway, KS Daughter-in-law: Darlene Bass of Nevada, MO Grandchildren: Teresa Stepp and husband, Jim of Fredonia, KS Chuck Neuenschwander and wife, Janet of Fredonia, KS Mitch Neuenschwander and wife, Gina of Newton, KS Diane Carpino and husband Jim of Alexandria, TX Martha Cubbage and husband Steve of Nevada, MO J.T. Wiglesworth of Colorado Springs, CO Eleven Great Grandchildren and Twelve Great-Great Grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 15, 2010 at the Timmons Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gene Benefiel of the Buxton Christian Church officiating. Burial will take place Friday afternoon at 2:30 P.M. at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Helen"s name to the Fredonia Flag Fund or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Words of condolence for the family may be left at www.timmonsfuneralhome.com. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS 66736 is in charge of the arrangements.