Helen Bengtson

Helen M. Bengtson, 96, died at Brewster Place Retirement Home in Topeka early Saturday, April 2, 2005. Prior to moving to Topeka in 2003, she had been a resident of Ponca, Neb. Mrs. Bengston was born Feb. 3, 1909, in Laurel, Neb., the daughter of Moses T. and Elizabeth Ann Sullivan. She and Harald B. Bengtson eloped and were married in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 13, 1928. He died in 1987. In Ponca, she was a member of Friendship Club, PEO and Salem Lutheran Church. She taught sewing at the Vocational Technical School in Sioux City, Iowa, for 10 years. Survivors include two daughters, Cherrie Ann Koehn, Topeka, and Pamela Jean Cowen, Las Vegas; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren. A grandson preceded her in death. Memorials may be made to Brewster Place Foundation, 1205 S.W. 29th St., Topeka, 66611. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, Neb. Burial will be in the Ponca Cemetery. Penwell Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special messge for the family online, visit www.penwellgabel.com.