Helen Marie Clarkston

Helen Marie Clarkston, age 74, of Jefferson City, was called to eternal life Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was born April 14, 1938, in Mary's Home, a daughter of Andrew and Victoria Looten Berendzen. Helen was united in marriage to Lawrence Clarkston on November 4, 1961, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Mary's Home, and he survives at their home. She was a 1956 graduate of Eugene High School. Before starting her family, Helen worked at McGraw-Edison in Jefferson City. Helen devoted her time and energy into being a homemaker, where she stayed busy raising her five children and later running an in-home daycare facility for many years. She retired from Maytag Corporation in Jefferson City. She was a faithful and active member of St. Michaels Parish in Russellville, where she served as treasurer of the St. Ann Sodality, was active in St. Michaels' Quilters and served on the Fall Festival Planning Committee. She previously taught a CCD class at St. Peters Catholic Church in Jefferson City for several years. Helen was active in the Eager Elves 4-H Club, always making sure her 4-H members had their entries ready for the fair; she served as Treasurer of TOPS in Jefferson City; was active in Relay for Life in Cole and Miller counties, helping to establish St. Michaels Angels relay team; and was a tremendous supporter of her husband's activities in the Knights of Columbus. Helen loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a talented seamstress and made many craft items and quilts to raise funds for her church and other organizations. Her favorite pastimes were playing cards, watching Cardinals baseball and attending her grandchildren's events. In addition to her husband of 51 years, she is survived by five children: Gregory Phillip Clarkston (Matt Dezan) of Columbia, Richard Lee (Connie) Clarkston of Lohman, Pamela Marie (DeWayne) Jenkins of Centertown, Kimberly Ann Clarkston, and Andrea Victoria (Mitch) Koetting, all of Jefferson City; six grandchildren: Adam Jenkins, Kallee Clarkston, Dakota Clarkston, Benjamin Jenkins, Cameron Koetting and Clark Koetting; one brother: Leander (Dorothy) Berendzen of Mary's Home; two sisters: Irene Lepper and Margaret Ann (Fred) Evers, both of Mary's Home; a brother-in-law: Edwin Rademann of Russellville; a special niece: LouAnn Mertens; along with several more nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her mother and father-in-law, John W. and Jennie Holzer Clarkston; one sister, Frances Rademann; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Thoenen, Margaret Weed and Mary Clarkston; and two brothers-in-law, Norbert Lepper and Alfred Thoenen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 4, at St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Rob Fields, Father Basil Eruo and Father Stephen Jones officiating. Interment will be in St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery in Russellville. The family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 3, at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in Russellville. The praying of the Rosary will be at 3:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service will be at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Michaels Building Fund or St. Michaels Angels Relay for Life Team. www.scrivner-morrow.com