Obituary of Helen Joyce Govert

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “ I used everything You gave me”.    Erma Bombeck

Tribune, Kansas

Helen Joyce Govert, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Greeley County Long Term Care in Tribune, Kansas.  Helen was born June 9, 1930 in Arkansas City, Kansas, the youngest of nine children, to Arthur & Pearl (Bundy) Leach.

Helen graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1948, attended Arkansas City Junior College and later graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelors Degree in Education.  She taught elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Sumner County, Kansas.

At a fortuitous blind date, Helen met Joseph “Joe” John Govert, Jr. and they were later married on May 31, 1955 at Hays, Kansas.  Helen’s sense of humor counterbalanced Joe’s seriousness for over sixty-one years, with Joe’s passing on June 3, 2016 at Tribune, Kansas.

In 1956, the couple relocated to Greeley County, Kansas to farm and raise their family, establishing Govert Construction in 1957.  Helen briefly worked at the Greeley County Public Library and operated a porcelain doll studio, Exquizit Creations, with her friend Alice Robertson from 1989 through 2008.

Helen was an active volunteer, an avid reader and spirited storyteller, regularly being asked to give book reviews at community events.  She enjoyed welcoming new residents to the community, with her friend Marge Kuttler as part of the Welcome Wagon.  She enjoyed sharing her passion for drawing, painting and porcelain dolls with 4-H students, staffing Sacks on Broadway and as a member of the Pride Committee.  Helen was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Tribune, Kansas, serving as Sacristan in assisting in setting up for services at the church and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, providing communion to the homebound.

Helen’s surviving family includes-

Three Children and their spouses-

Mike & Cathy Govert-      Tribune, Kansas

Kevin & Cindy Govert- Tribune, Kansas

Sara & Gene Greeson- Tribune, Kansas

Nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Her parent, husband four brothers and four sisters preceded her in death.

Her family cherishes Helen in a million different ways, all because she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and great grandmother.

Vigil services will be held at 7:00 p.m. (MDT) Sunday, April 28, 2018 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Tribune, Kansas.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 29. 2019 at the church with Fathers Tim Hickey and Benjamin Martin officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

Friends may call from 2:00 until 5:00 pm Sunday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Greeley County Library in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com