Helen M. Ashe Muenks

Helen was born in LaHunta, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl Muenks, Sr., her parents Margaret and Michael Ashe and two of her siblings, Michael Ashe and Margaret Quirk. She was the oldest of four children. Her younger siblings included Bill, Michael (twins), and Margaret (Tootsie) Quirk. She was a graduate of Redemptorist Elementary and High School and a member of the Redemptorist parish. She was also a graduate of St. Theresa’s College (Avila). In January, 1946 she married the love of her life, Earl Peter Muenks, Sr. She is survived by her three children, (Pete) Earl Peter Jr., (Jane), Stephen Gerard (Peggy), and Michael Henry (Kathy) and her seven grandchildren, Ryan, Peter, John, Meredith, Patrick, Katie, and Erin, and three great grandchildren, Owen, Faye and Anna and her brother Bill Ashe of Glen Rock New Jersey and many nieces and nephews.

Helen grew up in Redemptorist Parish surrounded by her lifelong friends including Dorothy Nestor (Sipp), Janet Stephenson (Cauley), Margaret Brown (Brown’s Grocery) and Fran Murphy (Dougherty). She was a charter member of the Ladies of Charity and spent many hours volunteering at Visitation School, and Rockhurst and Lillis High Schools. When she attended the many school athletic events the boys were involved in, one always knew of her presence. She could have easily passed as one of the school’s cheerleaders.

She and Earl were blessed to be one of the families who lived on the famous Concord Street in Kansas City, Missouri. In the two blocks there were well over 120 children during the 1950’s and 60’s. Many good times were had with the neighborhood block parties and even a few reunions. It was a great place for families. One of Helen’s favorite activities was playing bridge. She enjoyed several different bridge groups over the years.

She also volunteered for many years at the gift shop of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She continued to live in her home until the age of 96, and renewed her driver’s license at age 95. For the past 27 years she has been an active member of St. Thomas More Parish in south Kansas City, attending many “More Friends” activities.

A special thanks to all of the wonderful staffs at Brookdale Overland Park, Brookdale Wornall Place and Village Shalom as well as Dr. Neal Erickson at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

On Monday, Sept. 12 a visitation will be held at St. Thomas More Church, Kansas City, Missouri from 9:30 to 11:00am. A mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am. A private burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Ladies of Charity, PO Box 480753, Kansas City, Mo. 64148 or St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

She will always be our family’s matriarch. We love you Mom.

Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145, (816) 942-6180.