MARY HELEN FLENTGE

Mary Helen Kinder Flentge, 89, a native of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Chateau Girardeau.

Mary Helen was born Nov. 15, 1911, to Ella Marie Bohnsack and James Absalom Kinder.

A graduate of Central High School, she was a charter member and the first secretary of the National Honor Society, which was founded in 1927.

After graduation from high school, she attended Southeast Missouri State University for two years before transferring to the University of Missouri. A member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, she received a degree in education from the University of Missouri in 1931.

After graduation she married Howard Hanscom Flentge.

In the late 1950s she received a graduate degree in counseling and psychology from the University of Missouri.

Two daughters survive her: Millie McCoy of New York, N.Y., and Wellington, Fla., Helen Hecken of Sarasota, Fla.; and a grandson, Daniel Phipps McCoy of Laramie, Wyo.

Associate dean of students at Southeast Missouri State University from 1958-1976, Mary Helen recognized the need for residence hall advisers and pioneered the development of the Personnel Assistance Program. She also helped start the Missouri testing program for the state college system. Dedicated to serving students, she sponsored the Student Activities Council, coordinated the graduate honors day assembly, and wrote the student handbook.

Upon retirement, Mary Helen moved to New York City where she lived for seven years before returning to Chateau Girardeau.

Throughout her life, Mary Helen actively participated in community and civic affairs. She served as president of the following organizations: League of Women Voters, Public Library Board of Trustees, Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau, and the Girl Scout Council.

An enthusiastic supporter of scouting, she was a troop leader for many years and a camp director. She was a member of the Mental Health Board, the Community Concert Board, and a charter member of Chateau Girardeau Foundation Board of Directors.

An avid reader, she was the Chateau librarian for several years. In addition, Mary Helen was a frequent visitor to the public library and read three or four books a week.

The Cape Girardeau Community Concert Association awarded her the Golden Lyre award in 1980 for significant contributions and personal service in advancing the performance arts in the Cape Girardeau area. In recent years, Mary Helen was a strong advocate of the River Campus.

In the mid 1960s, Mary Helen renovated her childhood home at 113 N. Frederick Street that had been built by her grandfather, William Bohnsack.

A world traveler, she enjoyed trips to Cuba, Europe, Africa, Asia, Russia, South America, Mexico, and many other parts of North America. She was a long-time member of FY chapter of P.E.O.

Her former husband, Howard, and a brother, Dr. James A. Kinder of Cape Girardeau, preceded her in death.

In keeping with her values, Mary Helen has donated her body to medical research.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at Johnson Faculty Centre, 530 N. Pacific, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau, P.O. Box 1982, the Friends of Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark, or the River Campus.

Arrangements courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.