Helen Raines

KELSO, Mo. -- Helen Louise Raines, 96 years and 8 months, of Kelso died peacefully Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at the Lutheran Home.

After a difficult birth, she took her first breath Feb. 24, 1918, weighing just three pounds. Her mother, Rosalia Hess passed on the next day. Her grandparents, John B and Matilda Hess, raised her as their youngest child.

She attended St. Augustine Catholic School and has been a lifetime member of the St. Augustine Parish, St. Ann's Sodality and Kelso Senior Citizens.

She married Monroe Jacob Raines on Sept. 3, 1940. They operated a dairy farm just west of Kelso. In 1972, they moved to the village of Kelso.

Helen liked helping others, sewing and making quilts.

She is survived by a daughter, Kathleen (Steve) Keesee; a son, Leonard (Carol) Raines; five grandchildren, Stacie (Scott) Franc, Jason Keesee, Aaron (Belinda) Keesee, Jill (Craig) Glenzy and Leanne (Gary) Heuring; seven great-grandchildren, Alexi, Scotty and Steven Franc, Glenn Keesee, Brent and Ryan Glenzy and Carter Heuring; and four sisters-in-law, Aileen (Butch) Heisserer, Betty (Pete) Raines, Dorothy (Joe) Raines and Betty (Shorty) Raines.

She was preceded in death by her husband April 1, 1995. She was the last living member of the John B. Hess family.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Chapel in Scott City. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus prayer service.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Augustine Cemetery in Kelso.