Carol Mae (Lea) Helwer, 78, of Russell, Kansas died Sunday, June 16, 2013 at her home in Russell.

Carol was born January 17, 1935 in Montezuma, Kansas the daughter of Wallace and Mae (Hearon) Lea.  She grew up in Montezuma and in the state of Tennessee before moving to the Lucas area.  She graduated from the Lucas High School in 1953.

Carol was united in marriage to Edward Helwer on February 23, 1955 in Lincoln, Kansas.  They made their home in Wichita, Kansas before moving to the family farm near Sylvan Grove, Kansas.  Then they moved to Russell in 1973.  This union was blessed with three children; Duane, Devera and David.  Edward preceded her in death in 1995.

Carol was a homemaker most of her life.  When she was younger she worked as a waitress.  She attended First Christian Church of Russell.  Younger she was a member of Eastern Star of Lucas.  She enjoyed collecting frog figurines, swimming and reading.

Surviving family include her two sons, Duane Helwer and wife Teri of Russell, Kansas and David Helwer of Van Wyck, South Carolina; daughter, Devera Nevin of Holcomb, Kansas; two brothers, Jay Lea of Benton, Arkansas and Joe Lea of Maryville, Tennessee; two sisters, Barbara Jantz of Montezuma, Kansas and Gerry Arensdorf of Boise, Idaho; nine grandchildren, Justin, Aaron, Sherri, Cari, Damian, Jake, Jessica Natacha and Brittani.  She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers K.C. and Stan; and four sisters, Kitty, Evelyn, Jo and Marjorie.

Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  A private family service will be held at the cemetery.  Cremation has preceded the service and the family will meet with guests the day of the service.  Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.