On the evening of Sunday, August 6, 2017, the soul of Helen Leflar Darling left this world leaving a deep void in the hearts of her husband, children, family and friends.  This tiny, feisty woman lit up a room for over 91 years with her infectious smile and laughter.  Her quick wit, sense of humor and long colorful stories about life and loved ones were limitless.  She could carry on long conversations with total strangers or be the silent shoulder to lean on if someone ever needed it.

Born on December 18, 1925 to Ora Lee Neely and William Godbey Leflar at Abbott Ranch, Haskell County, Texas, this little spitfire of a woman was welcomed into this world and spoiled by her older brothers William LeeRoy and James Welton Leflar who both preceded her in death.  (Her third brother Olen Godbey Leflar died before Helen's birth.)  Helen was the apple of her father's eye and her mother beamed with pride when speaking of her beautiful daughter.  Helen adored her two big brothers and bragged about them endlessly.  Likewise, her brothers thought Helen walked on water and in turn they would walk through fire for her.  Three closer siblings could not be found until Helen started her own family.

Helen was a multi-talented woman.  She could sing, arrange flowers, paint, bake and cook with the best.  Having two very athletic brothers, Helen herself became quite a competitor.  She played basketball, tennis, poker, card games, and dominos.  She won a multitude of individual and team bowling trophies.  She loved waterskiing slicing effortlessly through the wake on her single slalom ski.   Helen could out fish most anyone.  More than anything, she loved playing with (and sometimes cheating) her family in the domino game "42".  She taught, partnered and competed with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, passing down the love of the game.  Playing 42 was a "must-do" activity everyone looked forward to at all the family gatherings and vacations.  Each person vying to be Helen's game partner.

A woman before her time, Helen possessed the drive and determination to "have it all" as a wife, mother and businesswoman.  Being denied the opportunity to go to college after graduating high school is what drove her professionally.  After holding several jobs, including a legal assistant, she began her ultimate career as a health care expert as the medical records librarian at Shamrock General Hospital in Shamrock, Texas.  Later, she went on to manage skilled nursing care centers in Shamrock, Texas; Wellington, Texas; Enid, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Winfield, Kansas; Wichita, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas.  While managing skilled nursing centers she earned licenses as a medical record librarian, dietitian, and nursing home administrator.  She also earned an Associates Degree from Amarillo College, Amarillo, Texas.  Developing a reputation for excellence and panache for turning around a troubled facility, she later branched out as a long term care consultant starting her own firm LTC Consulting where she advised several of the long term and skilled nursing centers in Kansas.  Long-term care experts and state legislators sought her expertise and knowledge until she retired at 72.  She also served on several Board of Directors after her retirement.

While being known as a highly successful businesswoman, Helen's heart and soul - her pride and joy - were her family.  Center to Helen's universe was her beloved husband of 37 years, Lester G. (aka "LG" or "Dick") Darling of Hutchinson, Kansas.  Anyone who knew Helen and Lester are quite familiar with their nicknames for one another: "Sugar Bear", "Papa Bear" and "Babe".  So often "Yo! Babe!" would be heard from one side of their home with the response of "Yeah, Babe?" coming from another part of the house with the two of them meeting in the middle. Helen's heart would melt whenever Lester would grin, wink and softly say, "Ah, now come on, Sugar Bear…"  Helen and Lester were a beloved couple by their Moose Lodge friends and their church family.  They loved to dance, hold hands, cuddle and tease each other.  They depended on each other for strength, and shared an unconditional love and commitment to one another.  They loved fishing, taking long road trips to visit family, taking cruises, and exploring this country hand in hand.  When Lester would say, "I loved you first.", Helen would reply, "No, I loved you first!" or "I love you more!"

Helen was, as her children can attest, a powerhouse of a mother stuffed into a small five-foot, two and a quarter inch, 120-pound frame.  She passionately and fiercely loved her children, grand children and great-grandchildren.  To them she was their little, but mighty, "Mama Bear" who, to them, sang "Que Sera Sera" better than Doris Day herself.   Each of Helen's children to this day respond to questions with a crisp "Yes, sir."; "No, sir."; Yes, ma-am."; or "No ma-am."  "Yep" and "Nope" never cut it with Helen.  She demanded and commanded their respect, even as they grew to eventually tower over her tiny stature.  She never missed a single school event, sporting event, play, or music concert despite her busy and demanding work schedule.  If one of her kids were involved in something, Helen was there to be the proud mamma cheering them on.  Helen loved her children unconditionally and without exception, and they all knew it.

She had five children from her first marriage: Helen Elaine Vinyard of Amarillo, Texas; Suzanne Pritchard of Vancouver, Washington; (and as Helen put it - she gave birth to her last child three times) Stephen Guy Hardin of West Point, Texas; Carolyn Hardin-Levine of Shaker Heights, Ohio; and Alicia Kay Hamilton of Olathe, Kansas.  To them, Helen was known simply as "Mother."  Later Helen became "Mom" to Lester's sons David Lloyd George Darling of Belle Vista, Arkansas; Dallas Merle Darling of Atlanta, Texas; and Duane Anthony Darling of Cheney, Kansas.  She loved her son-in-laws Philip Vinyard (who recently passed away), Peter Hardin-Levine, and Brian Hamilton.  She loved her daughter-in-laws Ellen Hardin, Jill Darling, Beverly Darling, and Sherri Darling.

Grandma Helen's hugs, kisses, teasing, poker skills, domino games and elaborate tea parties will be missed by her twenty-two grandchildren Carey Miller, Jennifer Vinyard, Paula Pritchard-Nunn, Brian Hardin, PJ Vinyard, Ashley Vinyard, Matthew Linehan, Jackie Bush, Katie Linehan, Rachel Levine, Evan Levine, Daniel Linehan, Allen Hamilton, Reese Hardin, Guy Hardin, Brynn Collburn, Haylee Jo Meigher, Trenton Darling, Aaron Darling, Brock Darling, Stacy Darling, Kevin Darling, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and her beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Though she no longer walks this earth, Helen Leflar Darling will live on in the hearts, memories and the bonds her family and loved ones share with one another.  Her children and their children (and most likely their children's children) are a living legacy to Helen's love of family, work ethic, wit and humor, playfulness and joy for life.  Helen has blessed this earth with many gifts.  She was deeply loved, and will be dearly missed by so many.

Helen's family will be receiving visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas.  The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2017, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 1302 North Severance in Hutchinson, Kansas, with Pastor Trey Sharp and Elder Clark Jacobs officiating.  Elliott Mortuary and Crematory in Hutchinson is in charge of arrangements.  The family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Helen Leflar Darling's name to the Hospice House in Hutchinson or the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.