Helen M. Todd

Greensburg- Helen Marie Todd (Melton), 81, passed away July 4, 2023, in Kinsley, Kansas, under hospice care. She was born on February 1, 1942, and was the fourth of five children of William Archie and Cora Marjorie (Keith) Melton. Helen graduated from Bucklin High School in 1960. On December 2, 1960, Helen married Arthur Jean Todd in Bucklin. Helen was a remarkable daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She strived to excel in all her pursuits, including being a rancher, businesswoman, artist, flower gardener, naturalist, and many more. She loved her children and grandchildren and put extra effort into planning exciting excursions, fishing trips, picnics, and bonfires. We know if she would have been able, she would have cherished spending time with her great-grandchildren as well. Helen’s favorite artistic media was oil and watercolor painting, and she was flattered to be asked to teach painting classes for Pratt Community College. She also forayed into photography, pottery, macramé, sewing, quilting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and a variety of other art forms. She enjoyed traditions, such as making Christmas Eve extra special, cooking roast beef and noodles on Sundays, and hosting extended family holiday gatherings at the farm. She was a community leader serving as president and board member of the Greensburg Chamber of Commerce, helping to raise the tourism appeal of Greensburg through recognition of the Cannon Ball Green stage-coach line, establishing an area hospice, and assisting with the tornado recovery. Helen was especially focused on getting the 5.4.7 Arts Center constructed and served as one of the gallery’s first board members. Helen retired from the Greensburg State Bank in 2003 but continued to serve as a board member until 2013. Arthur preceded her in death September 10, 2018. She is survived by a son Brian Todd and wife Darice, Kirksville, Missouri, a daughter Christy Cooper and husband Michael, Houston, Texas, three Grandchildren Trent Todd and wife Megan, Chelsie Deneault and husband Joseph, Jacob Cooper and wife Lynaya, four great-grandchildren Elena Deneault, Hosanna Cooper, Riley Todd, Junia Cooper, a brother Ronald “Max” Melton and wife Jonra, Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma, a sister Marilyn Hayse and husband Frank, Wellington, Kansas. She was also preceded in death by a son Alan Wayne Todd and two brothers, Robert Keith and Larry Melton. Funeral Services and Celebration of Helen’s life will be held 11:00 am Friday July 7, 2023, at the Kiowa County Fairgrounds Community Building, Greensburg with Michael Cooper officiating. Visitation will start at 10:00 until service time. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg. Memorials are suggested to the 5.4.7 Arts Center, Greensburg and the Samaritan’s Purse, both in care of Fleener Funeral Home, PO Box 41, Greensburg, KS 67054.