In Memory Of
Menna Lee Reed
1923
2018
Menna Lee Reed
March 1, 1923 — March 23, 2018
Menna Lee Reed passed away on March 23, 2018, at the age of 95. She was born March 1, 1923 in Kansas City, MO the daughter of Jack and Consuella (Wilcox) Smith. She and her sister were raised by their grandparents when their mother died when she was 2 1/2 years old.
She graduated from Westport High School in 1941, and was president of her nursing class at Trinity Lutheran Hospital, where she trained to be a WWII Cadet Nurse. She nursed at The Kansas Service Children's League and all 4 hospitals in Topeka, and retired from St. Francis after 55-year career.
Menna Lee was an avid watercolorist in her later years, creating many cherished paintings for family and friends. She was known for her gentle spirit, witty humor and never wanted to miss a party. She delighted in traveling to Italy and New Orleans.
She was married briefly but passionately to Richard Helfenstrider, a marriage that produced her beloved son Richard. She is preceded in death by, her sister, Jeanne Tippin, and her husband, Elmer, of 49 years.
She is survived by her 3 children, Richard Reed of Topeka, Jane Wonnell and her husband Douglas, of Poolesville, MD and Alan Reed of Topeka. Two grandsons, Lee Reed of Topeka, Tyler Reed of Shawnee, KS, two great granddaughters, Izabella Reed and Grace Reed, and several nephews and nieces, including Maureen Block of New Orleans, LA with whom she had a special bond.
A funeral ceremony will be held on April 5th in at 2:00 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS. The family will host a reception following the interment in the Mount Hope Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the Mount Hope Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, 6675 Holmes Rd., Ste. 470, Kansas City, MO 64131 or Caring Hospice, 518 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877-2325 or Montgomery Hospice: 1355 Picard Dr., Ste. 100, Rockville, MD 20850.
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
She graduated from Westport High School in 1941, and was president of her nursing class at Trinity Lutheran Hospital, where she trained to be a WWII Cadet Nurse. She nursed at The Kansas Service Children's League and all 4 hospitals in Topeka, and retired from St. Francis after 55-year career.
Menna Lee was an avid watercolorist in her later years, creating many cherished paintings for family and friends. She was known for her gentle spirit, witty humor and never wanted to miss a party. She delighted in traveling to Italy and New Orleans.
She was married briefly but passionately to Richard Helfenstrider, a marriage that produced her beloved son Richard. She is preceded in death by, her sister, Jeanne Tippin, and her husband, Elmer, of 49 years.
She is survived by her 3 children, Richard Reed of Topeka, Jane Wonnell and her husband Douglas, of Poolesville, MD and Alan Reed of Topeka. Two grandsons, Lee Reed of Topeka, Tyler Reed of Shawnee, KS, two great granddaughters, Izabella Reed and Grace Reed, and several nephews and nieces, including Maureen Block of New Orleans, LA with whom she had a special bond.
A funeral ceremony will be held on April 5th in at 2:00 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS. The family will host a reception following the interment in the Mount Hope Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the Mount Hope Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, 6675 Holmes Rd., Ste. 470, Kansas City, MO 64131 or Caring Hospice, 518 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877-2325 or Montgomery Hospice: 1355 Picard Dr., Ste. 100, Rockville, MD 20850.
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Menna Lee Reed, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel
Reception
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Starts at 3:30 pm (Central time)
Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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