Helen Marie Gehrken, 93, of Sweet Springs, died on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.

Born on Nov. 30, 1932, in rural Johnson County, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Helena (Steffens) Dittmer.

She married Elwood Gehrken on Jan. 15, 1957, and he preceded her in death on July 9, 2009.

She was a member of Bethel United Church of Christ in Concordia and former member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ in Blackburn.

Helen is survived by her children: Debbie Ohrenberg (Keith) of Concordia; Gerald Gehrken of rural Sweet Springs; grandsons: Chad Ohrenberg (Kayla) of Alma, and Cole Ohrenberg (Shayline) of Lee’s Summit; five great-grandchildren: Sena, Charlotte, Myra, Jake and Emma; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Esther Willard, Alverna Vogt, Erna Thompson, Wilbert and Omar Dittmer and her daughter-in-law, Sandy Gehrken.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia with William W. Harlow officiating. Visitation was held before the service, and burial followed at St. John’s Cemetery in Emma.

Memorials may be made to St. John Cemetery or Good Shepherd Hospice, and an online may be signed at www.campbell-lewis.com