Ms. Helen Bruster

Obituary Helen Joanne (Johnson) Bruster was born April 9, 1934, in West Monroe, Louisiana. She was the only child of Mrs. Bessie L. Washington and Rev. H. H. Washington who both preceded her in death. On Monday, May 24, 2021, Helen passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Matteson, IL. Helen moved to Kansas City, Kansas with her parents in 1938, confessed Christ at an early age, was baptized and became a member of Strangers Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Pugh. As a devoted member, she served on many auxiliaries for over 60 years until her health prevented her from participating. She remained a faithful member until God called her home. Helen grew up in the greater Kansas City area and attended Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. After graduation from Sumner High School, she moved “Across the River” to Kansas City, Missouri, where she married, started her family, continued her education, and left fingerprints and footprints everywhere she went. Her lifelong contributions to the Greater Kansas City area are legendary. Everyone who knew her, respected her and loved her called her by many names, “Helen Johnson”, “Mrs. Curry, “Mrs. Brown”, “Mrs. Gordon”, “Mrs. Bruster”, “Aunt Helen”, “Miss Helen”, Mama” or “Gran”. Her many roles as a daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend, nurse, teacher, fashionista, confidant, and yes, “The Queen” were the hallmark of who she was. Each of her names and the roles she had in life all contributed to the phenomenal woman she will always be remembered as. She was truly “One in a Million”. While raising her children and working full time, Helen returned to school to further her education. She attended Penn Valley Community College and The University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was employed as an RN (Registered Nurse) at The University of Kansas Medical Center for over 25 years in addition to serving as a nursing instructor at Penn Valley Community College. She loved the field of Health Care and, upon her retirement from KU and Penn Valley, she continued to provide much needed home health care services throughout the Kansas City community. Helen loved to travel, enjoy music, plant beautiful flowers in her yard and spend hours talking to, advising, comforting, and caring for family and friends. She loved being a member of The Kansas City Missouri Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she was initiated in 1990 and her Soror daughter, Sharon, was there to “Pin" her. In April 2006, Helen was recognized by her chapter as a Diamond Delta Dear and received The Women of Courage Award. The Jolliettes Travel Club and Dream Tours afforded her the opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally. Family was everything to Helen. She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was unapologetic about spoiling them whenever she wanted to. Helen married Arlvelt Bruster, Sr. on July 30, 1994. There were no children born to this union. During their 22 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with their extended family and many friends. They both remained devoted members at Strangers Rest Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas until they were called to their Heavenly home. Arlvelt preceded Helen in death on July 12, 2016. They will be reunited on June 8, 2021, at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth Kansas. While she is also reunited with countless other relatives, Helen will be greatly missed and forever loved and cherished by her five children, Sharon Curry Baskerville (Wayne), Matteson, IL; Henry H. Curry (Sheryl), Vickie Brown Harris, and Michael Todd Brown all of Kansas City, MO; Andre Y. Gordon (Sandra), Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; 7 grandchildren, Tia, Wayne II (Baskerville); Brittiany, Brianca, Braxton (Lauren) Harris; Andre II, Jalen (Gordon); 11 great grandchildren, Wayne III, Carlos, Ivy (Baskerville); NaTya, Tarence Jr., TaNya, NaRiah, Trenton, ZaNai (Maddox); Aleyiah, Ari (Harris) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, extended family and friends. Funeral services will be held the following Monday, June 7, 2021, 11:00am at Strangers Rest Baptist Church, KCK. Interment Tuesday, June 8, Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Son Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. Due to COVID-19 protocol, social distancing and face coverings required indoors. Services will be Livestream: www.mstcsunset.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Helen Bruster, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Helen Bruster

April 9, 1934 - May 24, 2021