Helen Elfreda Bangert Walter, 99, of Hoisington, Kansas, and former Russell, Kansas, resident died on Monday, August 27, 2018, at the Country Place Senior Living Center in Hoisington.

Helen was born in 1918 at the family home 3 miles south of Milberger, Kansas, the daughter of Fred and Mollie (Stettinger) Strecker.  She was confirmed in the American Lutheran Church of Milberger.  She attended Liberty Rural School in Barton County, Kansas.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Rueben Bangert on February 19, 1939, in Russell County.  From this union Helen and Rueben were blessed with 3 sons Larry, Dennis and Allen and they made their home on a farm 7 miles south of Russell, Kansas.  She enjoyed her fulltime job of being a wife, mother and homemaker to her growing family.  On April 11, 1967, Helen lost her beloved husband Rueben, in a traffic accident while he was helping a woman pull her car from a ditch.  Helen was blessed in finding love a second time and was united in marriage to Dave Walter on August 05, 1972, and they made their home in Ness City, Kansas.  Dave preceded her in death on July 27, 1976.  After Dave's death she moved back to Russell and worked for 20 years as a food service worker in the Bickerdyke Elementary School Cafeteria.  She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church and was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.  She enjoyed quilt making and most of all enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving family include her 3 sons Larry Bangert (Judy) of Arvada, Colorado, Dennis Bangert (Tenna Rae) of Derby, Kansas and Allen Bangert (Mary) of Russell, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and 2 step children and 2 step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 husbands and 3 brothers Paul Strecker, Roy Strecker and Melvin Strecker.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 30, 2018, at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at the mortuary.  Family will greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening.  Memorials may be given to Kindred Hospice and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.