Helen Elizabeth Havener, age 98, of Independence, Missouri, formerly of Springfield Missouri passed away on November 3, 2026. Helen was born on June 6, 1928 in Springfield, MO to Claude and Edith Dickens. She was raised in Springfield, MO and graduated from Springfield High School in 1946.

Helen was a proud member of the Kiltie Drum & Bugle Corp while in high school. She then became a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star where she held many different offices in the organization. Helen enjoyed life and cultivated friends wherever she went.  Helen was an avid golfer and gardener.

Helen is survived by two sons Dennis (Phyllis) Schmitt of Springfield and Keith Schmitt of Independence Mo. She felt very blessed to have two grandsons, Brian Schmitt & Brock Schmitt and a granddaughter Kathleen (Nathan) Slape. Helen also liked to brag a lot about those great grandchildren, Connor (Elsa) Schmitt, Jacob Schmitt and Taylor Schmitt.

Helen married Olaf Havener on March 12, 1977 in St Louis, MO. Helen and Olaf shared many years of marriage before Olaf’s passing in 2013. Helen is preceded in death by former spouses Ivan Schmitt and Don Kinley, her parents and brothers Wilford Dickens and Claude Dickens Jr.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at Robberson Prairie Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.