Helen Shirley (Ptacek) Reeves (1936-2018)

Helen Shirley (Ptacek) Reeves passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis in Wichita, Kan. at the age of 81.  
She was born on Dec. 14, 1936 in Dorrance, Kan. to Frank C. and Anna M. (Kepka) Ptacek.  After graduating from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1954, she went on to earn her associate’s degree from Dominican School of Nursing in Great Bend, Kan.  On Dec. 30, 1957 she was united in marriage to Richard E. Reeves at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson, Kan. They were blessed with eight children.
Helen worked as a registered nurse for 32 years before retiring. She was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church and the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. She also served with the Altar Society. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and cooking; but the greatest love of her life was her husband and family. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever she had opportunity.
Helen is survived by her husband, Richard Reeves of the home in Sylvan Grove; children, Diane Reeves of El Dorado, Julie Sanborn and husband Jeff of Abilene, Alan Reeves and wife Becky of Wilson, Lori Reeves and partner Marilyn Garcia of Sylvan Grove, Kim Alexander and husband Wynn of Coldwater, Todd Reeves and wife Cherish of Courtland, Scott Reeves of Sylvan Grove, and Pam Johanek of Andover; brother, Francis Ptacek of Russell; sister, Anna Mae Janda of Lyons; 30 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anna Ptacek; and siblings, Edward Ptacek, Alfred Ptacek, Beatrice (Ptacek) Gerstekorn, Wilfred “Mike” Ptacek, Fr. Maurice Ptacek, Mary Ann Ptacek, and Ernest Ptacek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Burial will follow in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church with Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 7 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Padre Pio Foundation of America and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 533, Wilson, Kan. 67490.  
Online condolences may be left at www.plumeroverlease.com