Helen Ruth (Galloway) Renner, 97, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on June 3, 2021.  A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Briarcliff Church, 800 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, Missouri, with visitation at 10:00 a.m.

Helen was born on February 29, 1924, (LEAP YEAR) in Ralls County, Missouri, the daughter of Emmett Howard and Lucy May (Pierce) Galloway.  In 1941 Helen attended Kirksville State Teachers College for one year and subsequently taught two years in one room schools.  Afterwards, she returned to college and graduated in 1945.  Helen taught business in Pittsfield, Illinois, until her marriage to John Henry Renner on July 2, 1950, when she became a farmer’s wife.  In 2004, she moved to Kansas City, Missouri to be close to family.

John and Helen liked to travel, often with friends, and visited all 48 of the continental US states.  Many of the trips included Army reunions and foraging for family history.  Organizations and volunteer work played an important part in her life, including extension clubs, DAR, working in church libraries and choirs.  She joined several genealogy societies, and later wrote and published genealogy books and pamphlets.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Emmett and May Galloway, husband John Renner, brother William Howard Galloway, sister-in-law Carla Galloway and son-in-law David Toalson.  Survivors include her son Marion Ray Renner (Rebecca Davis) and daughter Mary Jane Toalson; grandchildren Sandra Kay Leech (Nathaniel) and Jeffrey Scott Renner (Erin); a nephew, Bruce Galloway (Sarah); and one sister-in-law, Faye Renner, as well as many cousins and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ralls County Historical Society (120 E. Main Street, Perry, MO 63462), Pike County Genealogical Society (P.O. Box 313, Bowling Green, MO 63334) or to the charity of your choice.