Helen Louise (Ahlers) Carns, was 96 years, 7 months, 21 days when she passed away on October 27, 2024, at Forsyth Care where she was a resident. Helen was the youngest daughter of Alfred and Mary (Rybolt) Ahlers, she was born in Hannibal, Missouri on March 6, 1928. Hannibal is where she spent her younger years, growing up with her two older sisters, getting her education and helping in her family’s business, The Ahlers Motel and Grocery Store. Hannibal is where she eventually met her husband, Jack. Because of his military career she would become a world traveler and moved approximately 50 times. She would finally retire in Forsyth, Missouri, where she was the co-owner of Green Acres Mobile Home Sales and would lived out her remaining years. Some of her favorite pastimes were badminton and croquet. She could almost always beat you. In spite of her many moves she unfailingly made her priorities, her faith and her family.

She was predeceased by her parents and both her sisters, Cloydia and Nettie.

She is survived by three daughters, Saundra J. Strange (Wes) Branson, Susan J. Middaugh (John) Forsyth and Sharon J. Bell (Scott) Columbia, Mo. A brother-in-law, Roy Plumb (Marilyn) Leonard, Ok, Five grandchildren, Symon, Raychael, Erin, Erica and Taylor, nine great grandchildren, Addie, Tayla, Christian and Channing (twins), Maddie, Lucy, Jack, Damien and Astrid. Also, three nephews, Rick, Glenn and Kenny.

Helen was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1959. Because of her love of the bible the most precious and valuable gift that she gave her family was a spiritual heritage. The temporary loss of our mother deeply pains us, but we take comfort in one of her favorite scriptures, Revelation 21: 4, “And he (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” That was a promise she held close to her heart right down to the end. She will be interned in Hannibal, Mo. A Memorial Service will be held November 23^rd, 2:00 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1965 Bee Creek Road, Branson.  Arrangements were under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson.

Helen’s daughters would like to thank Forsyth Care and Preferred Hospice for their dedication and the warmhearted care they provided her in her last 21 months of life. Their compassion and kindness gave both her and her family some tranquility, knowing she was being well cared for

Two Mothers Remembered

by Joann Snow Duncanson

I had two Mothers – two Mothers I claim

Two different people, yet with the same name.

Two separate women, diverse by design,

But I loved them both because they were mine.

The first was the Mother who carried me here,

Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.

She was the one who features I bear,

Complete with the facial expressions I wear.

She gave her love, which follows me yet,

Along with the examples in life she set.

As I got older, she somehow younger grew,

And we’d laugh as just Mothers and daughters do.

But then came the time that her mind clouded so,

And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.

So quickly she changed and turned into the other,

A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm’s length,

But now she was the child and I was her strength.

We’d come full circle, we women three,

My Mother the first, the second and me.

And if my own children should come to a day,

When a new Mother comes and the old goes away,

I’d ask them of nothing that I didn’t do.

Love both of your Mothers as both loved you.