Kenagy, Helen Marie Hartzler (1939-2004)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Oct 4 p. 8

Birth date: 1939Dec 28

text of obituary:

HELEN MARIE KENAGY

Helen Marie Kenagy, 64, of Carlsbad, N.M., died July 23, 2004, after being involved in a two-vehicle accident. She was born Dec. 28, 1939, to Clarence Vernon and Nellie Hartzler in Cass County, Mo.

She graduated from high school at Harrisonville, Mo., in 1957. For two years she attended Hesston (Kan.) College, where she began her Registered Nurse training. During the next two years, she completed her RN training at Kansas City General Hospital and then worked as a nurse until she married. During her last year of training she began to have problems with arthritis.

She married Marvin Kenagy on May 25, 1962, in Garden City, Mo.

After marrying, they lived in Kansas City, where she continued nursing. They entered voluntary service in September 1962 and lived in Narberth, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa. After their service, they moved back to Missouri and farmed.

In January 1973, they moved to Carlsbad, N.M., and lived in town for four years. They bought Rocky Arroyo Ranch and lived there seven years. During this time their house burned down. With the help of friends and family, they built a new home. In 1984, the family moved to Queen Ranch.

As a rancher's wife and mother, she was busy with sewing, gardening, canning, cooking meals, keeping books and running errands. She was a giving person and always helped her children and others. Because of her arthritis she struggled with pain, yet had a cheerful and positive attitude. She loved to laugh and have her family around her.

She accepted Christ at a young age. Praying for others was one of her gifts. She was involved in church activities, such as women's sewing group, the Bible Memory program and service projects. One of the things she enjoyed the most was being youth sponsor with Marvin. The relationships she built encouraged youth in the development of their faith, talents and interests.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin; four children, Becky, Wayne, Brenda and Karla; a sister, Esther; and 12 grandchildren.