Helen I. Ralston

Helen I. Ralston, 98, Belton, Mo., formerly of Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Home in Belton. She was born on Jan. 25, 1915, in Hiattville, Kan., to Lee Cornelius Gooding and Anna Pearl Callow Gooding. She married Richard Henry Ralston on Dec. 24, 1937, in Nevada, Mo., and he preceded her in death on July 28, 1992.

Mrs. Ralston was raised in the Hiattville and Hepler, Kan., area. She graduated from Hepler High School in 1932 and came to Nevada in 1937. Helen worked at the Nevada State Hospital for more than 20 years, retiring in 1978. She had lived in Belton for the past three years. Helen was a wonderful seamstress, loved quilting, sewing, arts and crafts. She was an excellent painter. One of her paintings was selected by the Kansas City Alzheimer's Association and auctioned off with the funds going to the Alzheimer's Association in 2001. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Nevada.

Survivors include one daughter, Cheryl Dennis, Raymore, Mo.; one granddaughter, Aimee Dennis, Belton; two great-grandchildren, Russell Zilliox and Jamie Dennis, both of Belton, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one grandson, Brandon Dennis; one brother; and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Steve Russ officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call Sunday and until the hour of service at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, prior to the service at the funeral home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com