Helen Viola Rosenblad, 98, passed away June 10, 2022, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. She was born Dec. 14, 1923, in Hutchinson, to Raymond Grant and Edith May (Hunter) Streeter.
Helen was a graduate of Hutchinson High School. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Physical Education from Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas. Helen was a board member of the Southwest Kansas and Northwest Kansas Agencies on Aging. During her tenure as a board member, she helped establish a bus service for senior citizens and built central kitchens for the Minneola, Kansas and Downs, Kansas, communities. Helen was a member of the City of Hutchinson Housing Task Force and City of Hutchinson Community Improvement Commission. She was a founder and director of Interfaith Housing and Community Services Inc., Hutchinson. Helen was recruited to join the Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra in 1966. She played second violin and remained as a musician with the symphony for 20 years.
On June 8, 1946, Helen married Rev. Ralph Alexander Rosenblad, at the First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. They shared over 67 years of marriage, prior to his death on Mar. 8, 2014. Being the wife of a pastor meant that she had to perform the duties of a pastor’s wife, from singing in the choir, providing cakes and casseroles for funeral dinners, to working with the activities of the children in the church. Helen and her husband served four churches in the New England United Methodist Church Conference and then relocated to Kansas, serving six churches in the Kansas West United Methodist Church Conference. She was passionate about both sides of the family genealogy which she researched and wrote about extensively.
She is survived by: her children, Signe (Glen) Rogers of Newton, Kansas, Eric (Kathy) Rosenblad of Pittsburg, Kansas, Kirstin (Robert) Zielke of Fowler, Kansas, and Lars (Christine Montfort) Rosenblad of rural Desmet, Idaho; bonus daughter, Dianna (Paul) Wright; grandchildren, Christian (Tabitha) Rosenblad, Rebekah (Dustin) Morris, Zane Zielke, Jonathan (Shelly) Rogers, Sarah (David) Roush, Ruth Rogers, and Benjamin Rogers; and great-grandchildren, Cash, Scout, Bren, Arlo, Eleazar, Michelle, Katherine, Tyler, Andrew, Hannah, Isaac, Azaria, Jude, Noah, Abraham, and Benjamin;.
Helen was preceded in death by: her parents; husband; and brother, Raymond E. Streeter and wife, Lydia Hewitt Streeter.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will follow in Eastside Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Interfaith Housing & Community Services Inc., Hutchinson, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
