Helen Mary (Blythe) Kingsley, of Hutchinson Kansas, passed away peacefully holding her beloved husband's hand at Thorne Care Center on Sept. 23, 2012. She was born on Feb. 26, 1915, in White City, Kan., the daughter of Mary (Garner) Blythe and George W. Blythe.

She graduated from Kansas State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1937. Before becoming the Reno County Extension Agent in Cloud and Reno counties, she taught vocational homemaking for two years at Quinter and Osborne High Schools. Helen was the Reno County Home Demonstration Agent for 7 years. During that period membership of the home demonstration units more than doubled to a record enrollment of 840 women. She had taught over 180 women how to make coats and suits in her tailoring classes. When she resigned in 1948 the county hired two people to replace her. She received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Office of Civilian Defense for recognition of patriotic services rendered to the United States of America without compensation during World War II.

Her patriotic services included using surplus cotton from the southern states to teach homemakers the art of mattress making and teaching them how to can and freeze the produce grown in the local community gardens. She was Kansas State President of the Home Demonstration Association for 2 years and National Chairwoman of the Home Demonstration Improvement Committee for two years.

Helen resigned her position as Reno County Home Demonstration Agent in 1948 to marry Russell Kingsley, Hutchinson High School Industrial Arts teacher. They were married in White City, Kan. and resided in Hutchinson, Kan. for the remaining 63 years of their marriage. She was a member and former president of Chapter D, P.E.O. She received her 50-year pin in June 2011. Helen generously served as a Girl Scout Leader and was on the Board of Directors for the Wheatbelt Girl Scout Council. She judged clothing and food for many years at county 4-H fairs and the Kansas State Fair. She was a founding member of a local Creative Cooking Group and was the founder and member of the Reno County Home Economics Club. Helen and Russell enjoyed entertaining family and friends in the loving home they designed and built in 1955. Helen and Russell hosted many groups and bridge parties in their home over the years. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, Kan. and a faithful member of the UMW. She and her husband were members of the DUO Sunday School Class. They were blessed to have many friends over the years through their shared faith and worship.

She is survived by her loving husband, Russell; their sons, Larry (Betty) of St. Petersburg, Fla., John (Gail) of Lenexa, Kan.; daughter, Mary of Kansas City, Mo.; and her brother, John Blythe of Manhattan, Kansas. She leaves two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and nieces and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Ross and Albert. Helen's kindness, bright smile, sense of humor, sense of style, hospitality, and loving personality will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her. The family wishes to thank Sharon and David Morgan, for the kindness and love they have given Helen and Russell, as well as the nurses and aides at Wesley Towers.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Wesley Towers Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.