Helen Caroline Deines, 90, peacefully passed away on September 24, 2025, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Long-Term Care in WaKeeney, KS, just three days before her 91st birthday.
Helen was born on September 27, 1934, in Ellis, KS, to John J. and Mary (Armbrister) Zachman. She was baptized on November 4, 1934, and confirmed on April 10, 1949, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Ellis, KS. She attended Excelsior Grade School, rural Ellis (1940–1946), Washington Elementary School in Ellis (1946–1948), and graduated from Ellis High School with the Class of 1952.
On April 14, 1953, Helen was united in marriage to Donald E. Deines at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Ellis, KS. They resided on a farm southeast of WaKeeney and shared 68 years of marriage until Donald’s passing on May 25, 2021. Helen was first employed as a bookkeeper at Golden Belt Co-Op in Ellis from May 1952 to April 1953. In December 1954, she began her lifelong career at Trego WaKeeney State Bank, where she faithfully worked until her retirement in December 2018.
Helen became a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney on May 10, 1953. She taught Sunday School for 15 years, served as co-sponsor of the Senior High Youth Group for four years, and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, genealogy, dancing, and playing cards, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially her son and daughter-in-law.
She is survived by her son, Dean (Christine) Deines of Austin, TX; her sister, Martha Massier of Ellis, KS; her sister-in-law, Adabelle Zachman of Ellis, KS; and her brother-in-law, Milton Dietz of Hays, KS, who was married to her sister Dorthy. Helen will also be dearly missed by her nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and by Don’s 'My Brenda.'
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Deines; her parents, John J. and Mary Zachman; her brothers, Oscar, Ernest, Raymond, Infant Wayne, Harry, and George Zachman; and her sisters, Anna Hamburg, Frieda Allphin, and Dorothy Dietz.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 338 N. 7th St., WaKeeney, KS, with interment immediately following at WaKeeney City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or to the TCLMH Long-Term Care Unit and sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.
To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.schmittfuneral.com.