Jean Elmburg Helmers, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on May 1, 2026, with her family by her side. She was 88 years old.

Jeanie was born on March 27, 1938, in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Vera and John Elmburg. As her father's career progressed, the family moved to Boston, Atlanta, Portland and Chicago where she graduated from Glenbrook High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin in 1960, where she was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

After college, Jeanie moved with her family to Kansas City and began her journalism career at KMBC-TV before working at TV Guide magazine, CARE Inc., and ultimately as Editor of the Society Desk at The Kansas City Star where she typed stories on a black Underwood typewriter. On June 21, 1963, she married Kansas City native, Dale Stepp Helmers. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on family, enduring friendships, and deep community involvement. Having attended six grade schools and two high schools during her childhood, Jeanie cherished the opportunity to put down roots in her adopted hometown.

A devoted wife and mother, Jeanie was deeply engaged in her children's schools and in civic life. She was an active member of the Junior League of Kansas City, where she co-edited the cookbook, Beyond Parsley. She served as President of the Board for both the Crippled Children's Nursery School (now Children's TLC) and the John Wornall House and volunteered with the St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary in the Heart Institute. She enjoyed a lifelong affiliation with Kappa Kappa Gamma, serving as Alumnae President and Holiday Homes Tour Chairman and was the recipient of the Kansas City "Kappa of the Year" award.

Jeanie was a devoted member of Christ Church Anglican, where she faithfully wrote the weekly prayer requests and helped transform a small gift shop into a thriving bookstore. She could be found nearly every Sunday wrapping packages and assisting parishioners of all ages find just the right gift. One of her greatest joys was hosting a weekly Bible study in her home, which she did for years.

She was a former member of Village Church and Mission Hills Country Club. Jeanie played the piano by ear, believed that even the simplest dinners should be enjoyed by candlelight, was a steadfast supporter of the Kansas City Symphony, and loved hosting family and friends at their family cabin in Breckenridge, CO. Above all, she cherished time with her children and delighted in her role as "Bebe" to her grandson, Will, with whom she shared countless hours playing Sorry, tossing the football, raking leaves and going for hikes in the mountains.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Lou Bremer, Dallas, TX; son John R. Helmers, Boulder, CO; grandson Will Bremer; brother John R. (Cy) Elmburg, Afton, OK, and sister-in-law, Martha Helmers Groebe, Centennial, CO.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 15th at Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W. 91st St., Overland Park, KS 66207. Jeanie will be inurned at Corinth Cemetery next to her late husband, who preceded her in death in 2002.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her honor to Christ Church Anglican, the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (530 East Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215), or a Christian charity of your choice.