Helen Diane Fanning

Helen Diane Fanning, 64, Nevada, Mo., died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. She was born Sept. 24, 1941, in Nevada, to Harlan Ireland and Helen Howard Ireland. She married Dwight C. Fanning and he survives of the home.

Mrs. Fanning was a graduate of Walker High School. She lived in Vernon County all of her life. She received her nursing degree from Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott, Kan. Helen also received her master's degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. She worked as a nurse at Heartland hospital in Nevada from 1985 until her retirement in 2000. She also taught nursing at Fort Scott Community College.

Survivors in addition to her husband, Dwight, include one daughter, Kenya L. and her husband, Charles S. Storm, Nevada; two stepsons, Alan Fanning and Jeff Fanning, both of Nevada, 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine Dawson, Salinas, Calif., and Marisa Wheelock, Huntsville, Ala.; one brother, Mark Mendenhall, Nevada; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 20, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Melvin Fanning officiating. Interment will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery, Milo, Mo.

Those who wish may contribute to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com