A beautiful and grand lady slipped the bonds of earth to join her Heavenly Father June 22, 2021.
Mary Helen Wilson saw much in her 99.5 years. She was the first baby born in Kansas in 1922 and always loved her New Year’s Day birthday celebrations. She was born in Salina, Kansas to Helen Olive Potter Schulz and Malcom Schulz. She lived a joyful, loving childhood in various Kansas towns, attending high school in Sterling, KS and graduating there in 1939. She attended Sterling College her freshman year before heading off to Kansas State College in Manhattan, KS, where she majored in dietetics and was a proud lifelong member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Mary Helen completed her degree in dietetics and went onto Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City for a twelve-month internship. She then enlisted in the Army and served in Rome, GA and Augusta, GA. Another K-State grad, Chase Wilson, was also serving in the Navy in Georgia. Chase looked her up and they began dating. After the war ended Chase was discharged and took a job in New Haven, CT. They continued a long-distance relationship until Mary Helen received leave and traveled to NYC where they were married at Little Church Around the Corner. Mary Helen had to return to her Army base in Georgia and when she presented her marriage certificate, she was discharged according to Army policy of the day.
Mary Helen and Chase lived several places throughout the country settling in Kansas City in 1959. She was a homemaker, and she and Chase raised three children. Mary Helen and Chase were active at Old Mission United Methodist Church and were members of the First Raitters Sunday School Class. Mary Helen was also involved with League of Women Voters, Kansas City Home Economics Club, volunteered at KU Medical Center and enjoyed season after season of the Kansas City Philharmonic. She and Chase loved traveling throughout the country together. She also loved international travel and was one of the first Americans to travel to China after Nixon opened it to US travelers. She traveled internationally with her daughter and church groups.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, husband Chase in 1992, son James Roger Wilson in 2018 and son-in-law Harry Jordan 2019.
She is survived by daughter-in-law Marsha, Overland Park KS, daughter June Jordan, Mission KS, and son Chase (Elizabeth), Leawood KS. Grandchildren Aaron (Rachelle), Jennifer (Adam), Arden (Jody), Chase Ryan (Bekah), Brett (Amanda), Emily (Steve), and Kerri. Great-grandchildren Ella, Camden, and Chase River.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Old Mission United Methodist Church.
Funeral Ceremony
Start Date: July 1, 2021, 11:00 am
End Date: July 1, 2021, 12:00 pm
Old Mission United Methodist Church
5519 State Park Rd.
Fairway, KS 66205
Visitation
Start Date: June 30, 2021, 6:00 pm
End Date: June 30, 2021, 7:30 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Drive
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Final Resting Place
Corinth Cemetery
3301 W. 83rd St.
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Mary Helen Wilson saw much in her 99.5 years. She was the first baby born in Kansas in 1922 and always loved her New Year’s Day birthday celebrations. She was born in Salina, Kansas to Helen Olive Potter Schulz and Malcom Schulz. She lived a joyful, loving childhood in various Kansas towns, attending high school in Sterling, KS and graduating there in 1939. She attended Sterling College her freshman year before heading off to Kansas State College in Manhattan, KS, where she majored in dietetics and was a proud lifelong member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Mary Helen completed her degree in dietetics and went onto Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City for a twelve-month internship. She then enlisted in the Army and served in Rome, GA and Augusta, GA. Another K-State grad, Chase Wilson, was also serving in the Navy in Georgia. Chase looked her up and they began dating. After the war ended Chase was discharged and took a job in New Haven, CT. They continued a long-distance relationship until Mary Helen received leave and traveled to NYC where they were married at Little Church Around the Corner. Mary Helen had to return to her Army base in Georgia and when she presented her marriage certificate, she was discharged according to Army policy of the day.
Mary Helen and Chase lived several places throughout the country settling in Kansas City in 1959. She was a homemaker, and she and Chase raised three children. Mary Helen and Chase were active at Old Mission United Methodist Church and were members of the First Raitters Sunday School Class. Mary Helen was also involved with League of Women Voters, Kansas City Home Economics Club, volunteered at KU Medical Center and enjoyed season after season of the Kansas City Philharmonic. She and Chase loved traveling throughout the country together. She also loved international travel and was one of the first Americans to travel to China after Nixon opened it to US travelers. She traveled internationally with her daughter and church groups.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, husband Chase in 1992, son James Roger Wilson in 2018 and son-in-law Harry Jordan 2019.
She is survived by daughter-in-law Marsha, Overland Park KS, daughter June Jordan, Mission KS, and son Chase (Elizabeth), Leawood KS. Grandchildren Aaron (Rachelle), Jennifer (Adam), Arden (Jody), Chase Ryan (Bekah), Brett (Amanda), Emily (Steve), and Kerri. Great-grandchildren Ella, Camden, and Chase River.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Old Mission United Methodist Church.
Events
Funeral Ceremony
Start Date: July 1, 2021, 11:00 am
End Date: July 1, 2021, 12:00 pm
Old Mission United Methodist Church
5519 State Park Rd.
Fairway, KS 66205
Visitation
Start Date: June 30, 2021, 6:00 pm
End Date: June 30, 2021, 7:30 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Drive
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Final Resting Place
Corinth Cemetery
3301 W. 83rd St.
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Guestbook
Visits: 5
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