Helen Erlene Hawver Rabon, 78, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2017, while at home with her family in Kansas City, Kan. Erlene was born Sept. 13, 1938, in Kansas City, Mo., to Francis and Helen Hawver. In September of 1951, while in the 8th grade, she met her husband Donald Rabon. To this day, Don remembers what she was wearing the day they met. They attended Wyandotte High School, where Erlene was a member of the girls' group, The Coquettes. They were married at Blessed Sacrament Church on Dec. 29, 1956. Also in 1956, Erlene began a 47-year career at TWA, where she was honored numerous times for her contributions and work ethic. In 1960, Don and Erlene's daughter Julie was born, and they loved traveling the world as a family of three. Her favorite activities always included traveling with her family and friends, going for drives with Don, and in recent years, playing piano with her great- grandchildren. On Dec. 29, 2016, she celebrated 60 years of marriage with Don, surrounded by the love and laughter of her family. Erlene was a woman of great faith who loved Jesus, and she was dedicated to sharing His message. She attended weekly Bible study at Argentine Assembly of God, and she and Don were members and part of the ministry team at Church of the Harvest in Olathe, Kan. A note or phone call to anyone, whether friend, family, or stranger always included "Jesus loves you, and so do I." She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Alan Dean Hawver. She is survived by her beloved husband, Don, her daughter, Julie Knetter and husband David, her grandchildren, Susie McCracken and husband Zach, Matthew Knetter, Allison Knetter, and two great grandchildren, Emma and Miles McCracken, all of Kansas City, Kan. She is also survived by her sister, Beatrice "Cookie" Springer and husband Mike of Kansas City, Kan., her brother, Michael Hawver and wife Shirley of Kansas City, Kan., and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at the Alden- Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs. A celebration of Erlene's life will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Church of the Harvest in Olathe. Burial will follow at Kickapoo Memorial Cemetery, Leavenworth. Condolences may be left with Alden-Harrington Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Harvest, 14841 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062. Arr.: Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, (913) 422-4074. Alden-Harrington Funerals, Cremations, Pre-Planning. 913-422-4074, AldenHarrington.com
Published in Kansas City Star on Jan. 10, 2017