Helen Zarger

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Helen M. Zarger, 88, of Topeka passed away Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, at Midland Hospice.

She was born Sept. 7, 1920, in Gilette, Ark., the daughter of John B. and Della B. (McKim) Quinn. She married John J. Zarger on June 19, 1956, in Ottawa, Kan., and he preceded her in death May 5, 1998.

Helen worked in the Shawnee County Auditor's Office before she retired. She previously worked for J.C. Sargent, Koss Construction Co. and Montgomery Ward.

She was an avid bowler, being in the Top Ten Women's Bowlers for seven years and was a past president of the Topeka Women's Bowling Association. She volunteered at Let's Help and in the city offices.

Helen was a member of Mater Dei Assumption Parish and a former member of the Democratic Action Committee. She was also affiliated with the Noon Goons and Treasury Notes, which were two groups of retired Shawnee County women.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Deanne Meens and husband Gregg A. Meens and Edith Kay Zarger and husband David Toof and a goddaughter Kirsten E. Friedl, all of Topeka; two grandchildren, Amanda Fritts and Andrew Fritts; and four great-grandchildren, Stefanie, Harley, Kaci and Corey.

Helen will lie in state after 3 p.m. Sunday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Mater Dei's Assumption Church. Burial will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice and sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.