Helen C. Hartschen, 93, of Topeka, passed away January 11, 2011. She was born December 14, 1917 in Whiting, KS the daughter of Charles F. and Esther Bohannon Hawks. She attended Pleasant Grove grade school, graduated from Netawaka High School in 1935 and attended Strickler Business College in Topeka.
She was a secretary at Swallow Airplane Company during WWII and retired as a legal secretary from the Attorney General's Office in Topeka. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Methodist Church in Holton and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Helen married Albert W. Maichel in January 1946; he passed away in 1990. She later married Donald L. Hartschen in April 1994; he passed away in 2003. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Klahr and two brothers, George and Homer Hawks.
Survivors include a step-son, Dean Hartschen and his wife Mary Ann of Andover, KS; one grandson, Matthew Hartschen; two great grandchildren, Tristen and Lucy and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Memorials may be given to the Brewster Foundation, First Christian Church or Grace Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O.B ox 270, Holton, KS 66436.