Obituary of Helen L. Brogan

Coffeyville - Helen Louise Brogan, 87, of Lawrence, KS formerly of Coffeyville, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was born July 18, 1921, in Craig County, Oklahoma the oldest daughter of Les and Anna (Barker) Seigel. She was one of 11 children. Craig County was formerly Indian Territory and Helen was extremely proud of her Native American Heritage. Her father was a tribal roll member of the Delaware Nation, and her mother was a tribal roll member of the Cherokee Nation. Helen grew up and attended school in Welch and Vinita, Oklahoma, before moving to Coffeyville in 1938 where she worked for Sears and Roebuck. On November 20, 1940 she married John E. Brogan in Coffeyville. John's WWII military service moved them to Los Angeles, CA and Colorado Springs, CO. Following his discharge from the military they returned to Coffeyville and she returned to Sears intending to only work through the Christmas Holidays. Some 42 years later she retired from Sears after being the Sears Credit Manager for many of those years at what she called "the big store" on West 9th St. John preceded her in death on April 10, 2003. Following her husbands death she continued to make her home in Coffeyville until moving to Lawrence 5 years ago to be near her daughter and family. Helen and John are fondly remembered for their love of dancing. They were active in several Coffeyville Dance Clubs and you could find them dancing somewhere almost every weekend. Helen was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, Holy Name Altar Society, and the VFW and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She always participated and helped with the 4th of July Flag raising at Restlawn Memorial Park. Survivors include her daughter, Jon Kay Murphy and husband Ron of Lawrence, KS; her son, Thomas M. Brogan and wife LaDonna of Spring, TX; three grandsons, Michael, Patrick, and Matthew; one granddaughter, Melissa; three great-grandsons, Koty, Chase, and Johnathan; two great granddaughters, Ellie and Sarah; two brothers, Gene Seigel of Tulsa, OK, and Jerry Seigel of Warrensburg, Missouri; and two sisters, Ruby Armstrong of Broken Arrow, OK, and Jimi Lou Rodman of Wichita, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two infant grandsons, Christopher Brian Murphy, and Mitchell Timothy Brogan; three brothers and three sisters. A Rosary Vigil Service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2009 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow with Father Ben Nguyen officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call on Sunday (June 28,2009) from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Holy Name School; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.