Helen Louise Bredesen

Helen Louise Bredesen, 81, of Overland Park, Kansas, died quietly in her sleep at home during the early morning hours of Sunday, January 22, 2012.

Helen was born on April 21, 1930, in Brewer, Maine, to Isaac E. and Madeline (Renouf) Staples. In 1956 she met US Air Force Lt. Richard M. Bredsen at a dance. They married in 1958 and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Richard's home town. After getting a job at Pillsbury as a commodities broker in 1956, the couple moved to the Kansas city area and soon started a family. The couple enjoyed traveling and made many life-long friends along the way. Helen especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Dorothy A. Giles and brothers, Robert, Paul and Richard.

Helen leaves behind her loving husband and best friend of 53 years, Richard M. Bredesen; two children, Richard E. Bredesen of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Jann L. Gryska of Kansas City, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Kari Bredesen; five beloved grandchildren, SN Hannah E. Gryska, US Navy, Ethan W. Gryska of Overland Park, Kansas, Haakon D. Bredesen, Kjerstin A. Bredesen, and Marit L. Bredesen, all of Lee's Summit, Missouri; and a brother, Ralph Staples of Brewer, Maine.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, 1001 E. 101st Terrace, Suite 180, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.