Hellen Louise James, age 89, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Center, Ellis. She was born February 21, 1936 in Lovell, Oklahoma to Joseph Lee and Ethel Mae (Price) Brown.
On October 23, 1953 she married Donald L. Hodges in Lyons, Kansas. Together they had four children, Diana, Donna, Denise and Donald II. He preceded her in death on August 5, 1972.
Hellen was a daycare provider for many years. She particularly enjoyed her time with infants and the extra care she could spend on them. She was able to travel throughout the United States and the world including the Panama Canal, and Alaska. As some of her fondest trips.
Hellen loved to bake pies, enjoyed singing and will be remembered as a hard worker and loving mother and grandmother.
She is survived by three daughters, Diana Kroeger of Ellis and her fiancé Pat Martin, Donna Honas and husband Verlin of Ellis and Denise Schwab and husband Rick of Norton; son-in-law, Tim Kroeger of Ellis; grandchildren, Tim (Aimee) Kroeger, Matt (Rachael) Kroeger, Jordan Kroeger, Amanda (Fiance, Todd Ashbaugh) Conness and Amber (Josh) Castaneda; as well as 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Donald L. Hodges II and a sister, Georgia Mae Logsdon.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Ellis Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.
Visitation will be Monday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and Tuesday 10:00 AM all at the funeral chapel.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ellis Public Library or HaysMed Hospice. Please share memories on Hellen’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com