Laura Frances Helmken Dixon

Laura Frances Helmken Dixon, 87, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital on October 28, 2022.  Laura was born to Raymond and Mary (Duncan) McKay on December 28, 1934.  She attended rural schools including Waite and Victory School to 7 ^th grade before graduating from the Unionville High School in 1952.  At age 16, Laura accepted Christ as her Savior at Union Grove Church, which was an important turning point in her life.  Laura moved to Omaha, NB, in the summer of 1952 and was employed at the University Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  In the fall of that year, she attended Grace College of the Bible and graduated with a diploma in 1955.  During college, Laura participated in many campus activities, even teaching child evangelism classes.

Laura married Charles Raymond Helmken on October 14, 1955.  They resided in Unionville, MO, for the next year while Charles was a minister at West Liberty and Union Grove churches.  For the next two years they lived in St. Paul, MN, while Charles attended college and Laura ministered in the church.  They then moved to California and for the next 12 years Laura was a mother and housewife while continuing with the activities of the church, teaching Sunday School and Junior Church.  They returned to live in Unionville in 1970.  After the passing of Charles, Laura married Shelby Dixon later in life.

Laura is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Womboldt and husband Johnny of Unionville, MO; Becky Swearengen and husband Steve of Milan, MO; and Mary Frank of Unionville, MO.  Laura’s surviving grandchildren are Kris Altiser and Lydia, Ericka Klingner and husband Mike, Stephanie Radosevich and husband Trevor, Alexandria Sinai and husband Iden, Mary Beth Veltrop and husband Ronnie, and Madeline Allman.  Laura is also survived by 10 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Laura was preceded in death by a daughter, LaRae Allman; son-in-law, Samuel Frank; brothers, William and Paul McKay; and sisters, Avis Davis and Dorothy Berkenbosch.

Thank you, Mother, for keeping God in our home and family, and teaching by example what Christian love should be.  Thank you for your loving heart, your understanding way, as well as warmth and wisdom that inspired day by day.  God’s presence in our home and the values learned from you, are at the heart of our family and a blessing all life through.

Funeral services for Laura were held at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, Missouri, at 11:30 am on Friday, November 4, 2022, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial was in the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to the Unionville Ministerial Alliance and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th , Unionville, MO  63565.