Helen Marie McDermet AKA Anna Kim

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Anna Kim, affectionately known to many as Helen Marie McDermet, on June 25, 2026, at the age of 72. Helen passed away peacefully at The Healthcare Resort of Topeka after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by love and care, and her unwavering spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her. Helen was born on September 1, 1953, in Seoul, Korea, she was found in a trench with other children during the Korean war and put in a orphanage, where she was adopted by Theodore William and Ethel Louise Schueneman and brought to the United States. Her life was a testament to resilience and grace, qualities she displayed from a young age. She spent her formative years in Roswell, New Mexico, where she graduated from Goddard High School. She furthered her education at St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas, where she developed a lifelong passion for learning. Helen's career as a certified nurse's aide allowed her to touch many lives with her kindness and compassion. Her dedication to caring for others was evident in her work until she became disabled in the early 1990s. Despite the challenges she faced, Helen never let her circumstances define her spirit. Her love for reading and playing computer games was a testament to her enduring curiosity and zest for life. She was a devoted and active member of Christ Lutheran Church of Topeka, Kansas, where her faith was a source of strength and comfort. Helen's strong faith was a guiding force throughout her life, offering solace and inspiration to all who knew her. Helen's personal life was filled with moments of joy and resilience. She married Obie Dwight Burton in 1973 they had a daughter Heather Louise, and although their paths soon diverged, she found love again with Gary Hays in the late 1970s. They had a daughter together Sarah Christine. Their journey together was brief, and in 1986, she married James Turner McDermet. They had two children Mary Eleta and James Turner Jr. who passed during pregnancy. Though their marriage ended after four years, it brought forth cherished memories and shared experiences. Helen was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Sarah Christine Ryser, and her son, James Turner McDermet Jr. Her legacy continues through her surviving daughters, Heather Louise Burton and Mary Eleta McDermet, both of Concordia, Kansas. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Siriah Starr Sexton, Alexis Dawn Sexton, and Jasmine Nicole Sexton of Great Bend, Kansas, and Austin Lee Brown of Victoria, Texas and seven great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to The Healthcare Resort of Topeka, its dedicated staff, nurses, and aides who provided exceptional care to Helen. A special thank you is also extended to Shauna Bliss for her extraordinary role as a social worker, offering unwavering support and companionship during the last ten years of Helen's life. Helen Marie McDermet's life was a tapestry woven with, faith, and resilience.