Pitcher, Helen Irene, 93, passed away, Friday, March 25, 2011, in Sedan, Kansas.

Helen was born November 9, 1917, in St. Louis, Missouri to William Joseph and Anna May Balven. She married Marion "Sprout" Pitcher on June 28, 1949 in Denver, Colorado. Helen was an assembly foreman for Boeing and a nurse aide at Susan B. Allen Medical Center in El Dorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; step-mother Clara (Koepke) Balven; a sister Kathryn Olson and a foster son Tom Hafferkamp.

Survivors include her foster-daughter Mary (Norman) Hoover, Peru, Kansas; sisters Dorothy "Jean" Winkley, Winter Park, Florida, Betty Joe (Zack) Taylor, Camarillo, California; nephews Kerry & Kim Olson, Doug & Kenny Winkley & Michael Taylor; nieces Cheryl Winkley, Carol Taylor, Kathryn Ghavini, Jacqueline Clowes; foster grandchildren Glenn (Bonnie) Hoover, Don (Alison) Hoover; foster great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Emily, Shae, Brevon & Makenna Hoover.

Viewing Tuesday, March 29, from 9-noon at the funeral home. Viewing also 30 minutes before the graveside service from 1:30-2:00 at Benton Cemetery with the service following at 2:00.

A memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 2404 West 8th Street, Coffeyville, Kansas 67337 or in care of the funeral home.

Dunsford Funeral Home & Crematory, 201 East Fifth Avenue, Augusta, Kansas,
316 775-6363, www.dunsfordfh.com