Helma ‘Lou’ Luella Kerens, of Hutchinson, KS, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord on December 28, 2023, just ten days before her 104th birthday. She believed in living an active and healthy lifestyle and as a result she lived a long and fulfilling life. Lou took up swimming laps at the YMCA in her 60’s and was line dancing into her 90’s. She even performed with the Delos V. Smith Senior Center dancers at the Kansas State Fair. Lou enjoyed watching sports especially, college basketball, as she herself played some basketball in high school. She was a member of Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, KS, and Harvest House.
Lou was the firstborn child of Nickolai and Helen (Regier) Esau on January 7, 1920, in Buhler, KS. She graduated from Buhler High School before moving to Hutchinson, KS, where she attended Hutchinson Community Junior College. In 1939, she married Alfred Ratzloff. They later divorced. Lou married Edward P. Kerens on May 29, 1953. They were happily married for 59 years.
Lou worked a number of years at Sears and later as the bookkeeper for her husband Ed at “Ed’s Sharolyns House of Beauty, Inc.” which he owned and operated.
Lou is survived by five children: Marilyn Minks of Hutchinson, KS, Keith (Sandy) Ratzloff of Manhattan, KS, Edward Paul (Chris) Kerens, Jr. of Leawood, KS, Kathy (Marvin) Ireland of Hutchinson, KS, and Kris (Tony) Jandora of Martinsburg, WV; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Edward P. Kerens, Sr.; son, Ronald Ratzloff; son-in-law, Eldwyn Minks; sister, Rachel Neufeld; brother, Willis Esau; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; and one great-great-grandchild.
Parish Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Rd., Hutchinson, KS. Lou will be laid to rest next to her husband at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in Fairlawn Burial Park, 2401 Carey Boulevard, Hutchinson, KS. Friends may sign the book from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. Online condolences can be left for Lou’s family by visiting the Elliott Mortuary website (www.elliottmortuary.com).
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Church of the Holy Cross or The Salvation Army, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.