Helen Louise Reel

Helen Louise Reel died peacefully on January 17, 2011 while in her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma surrounded by her devoted sons, their loving wives, adoring grandchildren and devoted caregiver. Helen was born in Sedan, Kansas where her dad and his brothers established the first electrical utility service in the city. Her family later moved to Hutchinson Kansas where she graduated high school. Although she received an academic scholarship from Drake University, she chose to attend Hays State University in Fort Hays, Kansas where her life was changed forever when she met James Francis Reel of Miltonvale, Kansas who was attending college. They were married in December 1940 and soon moved to Illinois where there was a significant oil play at the time after World War II. Her three sons were born there. The family later moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1952 where they lived until 1965. During that time, although Helen was raised in the Methodist Church, she persevered in raising her children in the Roman Catholic Church while attending St. John Catholic School. While Helen was not able to complete her own college degree, she was steadfast in seeing that her sons earned their baccalaureate degrees from Oklahoma State University. Helen and Jim moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1965. She was a homemaker until her sons graduated from high school. She then began working in the Tulsa Public Schools' cafeteria program from which she retired after 20 years of service. Helen and Jim were active in the the Tulsa Organ Music Society and Meals on Wheels during their retirement years. They were faithful members of St. Pius X Catholic Church for 40 years before moving to Oklahoma City in 2005 where two of their sons and their families lived. During her remaining years she lived in the Statesman Club Retirement Community where she enjoyed many dear friends, especially Helen McKenzie.The family will always be appreciative of LaDonna White, a compassionate caregiver who provided unwavering love, comfort and support to Helen during her final years. Helen was truly the sweetest person who was kind and loving to everyone she met. She adoringly loved her three sons and their families: Mike and Mignon Reel of Neshkoro, Wisconsin, Tony and Joyce Reel of Midwest City and Stephen and Susie Reel of Oklahoma City. She delighted in her grandchildren Michel Edward Reel and his wife Leah, Stephanie Rhea Reel, Sarah Lauren Reel, John Reel, Vanessa Reel, Jennifer Livingston and her husband Neal, and her great grandchildren Danica and Dalton Less of Tulsa and Addison Joy Livingston of Del City. Helen was preceded in death by her husband James in 2008, her parents Harold Clark and Beulah Gertrude Hartzell, her brother Harold Clark, Jr. and sister, Margaret Delarria.