Dec. 26, 1931-April 21, 2023 Helen Wilson, 91, of Excelsior Springs went to her heavenly home on April 21, 2023.

She was a beloved mother, grandmother,

Helen Wilson

great-grandmother and lifelong faithful member of the LCMS Lutheran Church. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, with a celebration of life to follow noon-2 p.m. at Ventana Gourmet Grille. All are welcome.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis Christian and Ida (Claussen) Crenshaw; sisters, Lola (Crenshaw) Mac-Cain and Delores Crenshaw; and two of her three brothers, Wilfred and Harold Crenshaw.

Survivors include her brother, James Marvin Crenshaw of Fruitland Park, Fla.; daughters, Delores Wharton of Liberty, and Carla Shaner and husband Dr. Jim Shaner of Farmington; and five grandchildren, Stephanie (Wharton/Guin) Greenwood and husband Kevin of Leawood, Kan., David Wharton and wife Erika Wharton of Kearney, Dr. James Shaner and wife Michelle Dumontier of Springfield, Jarred Shaner and fiancee Whitney Bennett of Kirkwood, and Rebecca (Shaner) Stites and husband Matt Stites of Farmington.

Other survivors include her great-grandchildren, Jude and Harper Guin of Leawood and Lee’s Summit, Sullivan and Margot Shaner of Springfield, and Brooks, Rory and Davis Stites of Farmington; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The day after Christmas in 1931, weighing less than 3 pounds, Helen was the second born in a set of twins to Lewis Christian and Ida (Claussen) Crenshaw, originally from Shelbyville. Helen’s twin, Harold, only made it a few months after birth, but Helen joined three older siblings: Wilfred “Willie” Lee, Lola Fern and James Marvin.

A few years later, her younger sister, Delores “Dee” Ida, would complete the family. Unfortunately, the family didn’t remain intact for long, as illness took the lives of both Lewis and Ida when Helen was 6 and 9, respectively. At this time, the elder children, Willie and Lola, were old enough to be on their own, but the three youngest, James, Helen and Dee, went to Shelbyville to be raised by their grandparents, Christian Samuel Nicholas and Rosa Margaret (Werr) Claussen at their family farm.

In 1950, Helen graduated from Shelbyville High School and married Carl Edward Wilson after a six-week courtship. She gave birth to Delores Ann in 1951, and Carla Jane in 1954. In 1955, the family moved to Excelsior Springs.

Family meant everything to Helen. For her entire life, she never knew a stranger and greeted everyone with her beautiful smile.

Helen made sure that she and her girls were always welldressed and well-mannered, even if they only owned two dresses at times. She cherished every item she ever owned and took pride in herself as well. Her home was always inviting and tidy, no matter how small or large it was. No one went away hungry, and prayers were said daily, along with weekly church attendance. She didn’t smoke or drink (though she didn’t think ill of those around her who did at times) and was always in shape and active, though she never dieted.

She knew what it was like to go without and took great care of what she had been blessed with. Church was important to Helen, and she was active at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior Springs for many years, participating in Bible studies, Guild and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. For the last 30 years, she was involved at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Kansas City. She especially loved the weekly Bible study and annual bazaar. Helen was a faithful Christian and Lutheran her entire life.

Helen was a homemaker until she re-entered the workforce in her late 40s. She spent much of her career working at Dillard’s in the Metro North Mall and worked in the customer service department for many years up until her retirement. Helen loved helping everyone, greeting them with her smile and was impeccable at wrapping presents!

Since her retirement 20-plus years ago, Helen focused even more of her time on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended many graduations, bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, ballgames, dance recitals, school parties, plays, etc. Family was the light of her life and she was so proud of everyone. She simply beamed in the presence of her great-grandchildren.

Helen loved laughter and music, and was regularly humming a tune. (Her grandchildren remember her singing Guy Lombardo’s “Managua Nicaragua” a lot!) “Mom Mo” is going to be missed by everyone.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation; P.O. Box 82406; Philadelphia, PA 19182-4061 (website: www.oif.org), in memory of Helen Jane (Crenshaw) Wilson.