Helen was born May 26, 1931, to Harry and Emma (Kent) Mitchell in Green City, Missouri, the youngest of eight children.
On December 29, 1949, she married Harold “Short” Darr and to this marriage three children were born. Survivors include Rodney (Vicki) Darr, Rhonda Boehner and Linda (Paul) Darr; 6 grandchildren; Angel (Chris) Rateike, Staci Darr, Jason Boehner, Matthew Boehner, Kelli (Nathan) Shipley and Randi Darr; 14 great grandchildren, Ryan McClaran, Gunnar See, Gracie See, Allison Shipley, Chase Shipley, Brooks Shipley, Jackson Shipley, Samuel Lowman, Wade Boehner, Bianca Smith, Gemma Smith, Kingston Chrostowski, Chevell Ruiz and Iniko Ruiz; a brother, Dale Mitchell and several nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; brothers, Harry J. Mitchell, Ralph Kent Mitchell, Charles L. Mitchell; sisters, Ruth Fraley, Jeanette Cleeton and Ramah Wokoun; granddaughter, Jennifer Boehner and husband, Harold.
Helen worked at several area businesses including the MFA, Green City Press, Milan Standard and Phillips and Spencer Law Firm. Upon Short’s passing she moved to Kansas City for several years and worked at Macy’s and the Kansas City School District. She then retired and moved back to the farm, she loved, but couldn’t stay retired and went to work at the Home Depot in Kirksville. She loved working retail and being around people.
She was very involved in her children’s activities. She spent many weekends traveling to horse shows in the Green Hills Circuit and attending their sporting events. She also attended her grandchildren’s activities and was affectionately known by them as HLD! She was a big Mizzou Fan and she and her brother Charles and wife, Margaret, would meet on Saturday’s in Columbia for football games. She enjoyed singing at church with Elaine Couch and Russell Pigg, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She so loved having family at the farm and hosted several family reunions.
She was a member of the Yellow Creek Baptist Church where she and her family started attending at an early age and her father served as a Deacon. When the church closed she moved her membership to the First Baptist Church of Green City. At the time of her death she was attending services at Yellow Creek Baptist Church.
In true Helen fashion, she passed peacefully in her home, on her Century Farm, just the way she wanted it to be…..”My Way.”
Services for Helen will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, April 1, 2022, at Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Green City, visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, starting at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Green City. Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Green City is handling arrangements.
The family has suggested memorial contributions be given to the Yellow Creek Baptist Church.
Pall bearers: Jason Boehner, Matthew Boehner, Samuel Lowman, Ryan McClaran, Chris Rateike, Gunnar See, Caleb Peterson, and Nathan Shipley.