Helen Harbison
February 28, 1938 — June 9, 2023
Helen Edith Harbison-McClintick graduated to her heavenly home on June 9, 2023, at William Newton Hospital, in Winfield. Helen was born on February 28, 1938, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Jasper Everett Harbison and Margaret Ada (Moore) Harbison.
As a child Helen travelled with her parents and brother Neil to many places in the Midwest and western United States. The family travelled by car and Helen always spoke of it as a great adventure. Among these adventures were time spent in California, a trip to the Grand Canyon, time in eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and southwest Nebraska. In about 1950, at the age of 13, Helen’s family settled more permanently in Doniphan County in northeast Kansas. Helen’s early education was done in one room schoolhouses. In high school she attended Wathena High School, graduating with the Class of 1956.
Helen began piano lessons early in life and by the time she was in high school she was a popular accompanist for everything from the local tap dancers to various choirs at church and at school. With a love for music, Helen also played French horn in the high school band and after graduation played for a short while with the Saint Joseph Symphony of Saint Joseph, Missouri. After completing secretarial training in high school, Helen worked for almost 50 years as a legal secretary. She retired in 2006 at the age of 68.
Helen was united in marriage on May 1, 1960, to Kenneth Russell McClintick. To this marriage three children were born. This marriage later ended in divorce.
Through the years Helen had many dogs and cats and always loved animals. She would tell many stories of riding bareback to the one room schoolhouse she attended in eighth grade and raising a bottle calf for her 4H project. Helen also loved to cook and had quite the reputation for being an excellent cook. She was also the family seamstress where over the years she happily made many dresses, hemmed many pant legs, and made the entire baby crib set for her first grandchild.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa and husband, Bradley Turgeon of Winfield; son, Mark McClintick of Longmont, Colorado; daughter, Terri McClintick of Longmont, Colorado; two grandchildren: Lane and wife, Keren Turgeon of Andover, Kansas; and Lena Turgeon of Winfield; sister-in-law, Carol Harbison; niece, Yvonne Harbison, and her nephews, Elvis Harbison and Everett Harbison. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Neil; her niece, Margaret; and her husband, Kenneth.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has been effected. Inurnment was made previously at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka. Koup Family Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
As a child Helen travelled with her parents and brother Neil to many places in the Midwest and western United States. The family travelled by car and Helen always spoke of it as a great adventure. Among these adventures were time spent in California, a trip to the Grand Canyon, time in eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and southwest Nebraska. In about 1950, at the age of 13, Helen’s family settled more permanently in Doniphan County in northeast Kansas. Helen’s early education was done in one room schoolhouses. In high school she attended Wathena High School, graduating with the Class of 1956.
Helen began piano lessons early in life and by the time she was in high school she was a popular accompanist for everything from the local tap dancers to various choirs at church and at school. With a love for music, Helen also played French horn in the high school band and after graduation played for a short while with the Saint Joseph Symphony of Saint Joseph, Missouri. After completing secretarial training in high school, Helen worked for almost 50 years as a legal secretary. She retired in 2006 at the age of 68.
Helen was united in marriage on May 1, 1960, to Kenneth Russell McClintick. To this marriage three children were born. This marriage later ended in divorce.
Through the years Helen had many dogs and cats and always loved animals. She would tell many stories of riding bareback to the one room schoolhouse she attended in eighth grade and raising a bottle calf for her 4H project. Helen also loved to cook and had quite the reputation for being an excellent cook. She was also the family seamstress where over the years she happily made many dresses, hemmed many pant legs, and made the entire baby crib set for her first grandchild.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa and husband, Bradley Turgeon of Winfield; son, Mark McClintick of Longmont, Colorado; daughter, Terri McClintick of Longmont, Colorado; two grandchildren: Lane and wife, Keren Turgeon of Andover, Kansas; and Lena Turgeon of Winfield; sister-in-law, Carol Harbison; niece, Yvonne Harbison, and her nephews, Elvis Harbison and Everett Harbison. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Neil; her niece, Margaret; and her husband, Kenneth.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has been effected. Inurnment was made previously at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka. Koup Family Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Harbison, please visit our flower store.