Helen L. Mouser

Helen Lydia (Reinig) Mouser, a Wellington resident since 1951, died on December 1, 2022, at 94.

Helen was born on April 26, 1928, in Panama, Iowa, to John G. Reinig Jr. and Margaret (Schwery) Reinig at the family homestead. It was settled by her German grandfather John Reinig Sr. Helen was the fourth of nine children. She attended rural schools and graduated from The Iowa School of Telegraphy. Helen grew up working on the family farm, tending to the many chickens – raising baby chicks, and collecting the eggs to sell. She also helped her brothers plant and harvest the crops.

Helen was motivated to create a life for herself. She achieved this goal by moving to Wellington, Kansas, in 1951 at the age of 23. She was employed at the AT&SF railroad as a Clerk. She retired in 1986 after 30+ years of service.

She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, The Council of Catholic Women and a dedicated volunteer at the Mission Thrift Shop for many years.

On September 16, 1952, she married Kenneth Mouser at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. He preceded her in death on July 2, 2004, after 51 years of marriage. Within this union, two children were born, daughter JoAnn and son Richard.

Retirement gave Helen more time to spend on her well-maintained yard and flower garden, playing bridge, baking cinnamon twists, and decorating holiday cookies which she shared with friends, family, and neighbors.

She enjoyed traveling to all 50 States and 25 countries, taking her last international trip with the family to China at the age of 84.  Helen’s pride and joy was her family, and she treasured spending time with them. She lived a life full of happiness and gave the gift of love to all who knew her. It is with a sincere heart that we say she will be greatly missed.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret, her husband Kenneth, brothers Jerome, Leonard, Gerald, and Clarence Reinig, and sisters Irene Reinig and Margie Taylor.  Left to cherish her memory are her daughter JoAnn (Mark) Blackmore, son Richard (Debbie) Mouser, sister Alice Reinig (Norm Schoenfeld), brother Ed (Betty) Reinig.  Five grandchildren: Alison Bogart of Rockledge, FL, Alicia (Rich) Peperone of Darien, CT, Kristin (Danny) Hampel of Wichita, KS, Craig Mouser of Overland Park, KS, Tom (Hannah) Mouser of Wichita, KS; eight great-grandchildren: Nathaniel Bogart; Gemma, Luca, and Cole Peperone; Blaire, Blake, Brody, and Logan Hampel.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to one of the following: St. Anthony – St. Rose Catholic Church, The Guadalupe Clinic, or Harbor House.

All are welcome at a Visitation on Monday, December 5, from 1-7 p.m. Family will be there from 5-7 p.m. On Tuesday, December 6 a Memorial Rosary will take place at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10 a.m. at St Anthony -St Rose Catholic Church, Wellington, with interment at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

The Funeral Mass may be viewed remotely by visiting the YouTube page of “St. Anthony St. Rose.”

Services are in the care of Frank Funeral Home in Wellington.

To leave condolences or sign our guest book, please visit our website at www.frankfuneralhome.net.