Some of my most favorite “discovered” distant cousins are the unassuming ones who lived extraordinary lives. When I find myself thinking: “I could never have done that”, I know that I’ve found another one. Helen Luelf, my 3rd  cousin, 2x removed, is an inspiring leaf hanging proudly from the Winter branch of my family tree. She was the 7th of 14 children born to Herman Luelf and Alma Winter.

Helen passed away in 2010 at the age of 91 having lived a remarkable life. A deeply religious woman she found her life’s calling at a young age. At age 20, she left her home in Troy, Missouri to attend Cincinnati’s God’s Bible School where she would later graduate as valedictorian. In 1946, she and fellow missionary Zola May Rich were selected to serve overseas in the West Indies, first in Barbados and later Grenada.

Helen and Zola worked together for the next 36 years before “retiring” back to the US. Together they helped establish 11 churches and a school in Grenada according to an article written about Helen in 2009. During her time in Grenada, she survived Hurricane Janet in 1955 and witnessed the communist takeover and subsequent U.S. rescue mission in 1983. The latter struck a chord with me because I remember as a teenager how this story dominated the nightly news.

Helen and Zola returned to Missouri on occasion in the 1950s. News of the evangelizing duo’s visits made The Warrenton Banner newspaper on more than one occasion. It was a big deal. Apparently, they were all to happy to preach and share pictures and stories about their lives in those far away places. And why wouldn’t people want to hear about them? Lets face it: Barbados and Grenada were not exactly island paradises.

My life is comfortable and uncomplicated for the most part. Helen’s was most likely difficult and perilous at times. While I would never have wished for the life she chose for herself, I have the utmost admiration for her dedication and accomplishments.

Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: 3rd cousin, 2x removed
Common ancestors: Helen’s 2nd great grandparents, Anton and Catharina (Bracht) Winter, are my 4th great grandparents

References:
http://pottsfuneralhome.com/services.asp?page=odetail&id=38598&locid=90
Johnson, J. (1937, May). Luelf shared her life with others. The Iola Register.
(Retrieved from http://old.iolaregister.com/Archives/News/Stories/2009/May/Luelfsharedherlifewithothers.html)
Various news stories from The Warrenton Banner, Warrenton, Missouri