Helen Allison Robertson Swartz, 90, passed away on Thursday evening June 10, 2021, at Stuart House Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, June 21, 2021 at Parkview Christian Church with burial to follow in the Centralia City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service on Monday at the church.

Helen was born April 28, 1931 in St. Louis, Mo. She was the daughter of Claude Abner and Sarethnia  (Dina) Embry Robertson.  At 13 she moved to a farm near Madison, MO.   Helen graduated from high school in Madison, Mo.

She married Harry Edward Swartz on October 18, 1949 and they were married for 60 years.  He preceded her in death on July 7, 2009.   They had two children, David and Becky.

Helen worked for Dr. LaChance in Centralia and later at Audrain Hospital where she served as a histologist in the laboratory.  At 41 she attended the University of Missouri as a full time student.     She graduated with a PhD in Animal Genetics.   Following graduation she was employed as a State Extension specialist through Lincoln University as sheep and goat specialist.   She also worked with value added programs and taught spinning and weaving.  She traveled to Africa and Barbados many times helping those communities improve their sheep and goats.    She loved her job and the people she met and finally retired at 82.  She loved showing sheep and the Missouri State Fair was her happy place.

Helen was a member of Parkview Christian Church and she loved music and singing.    She also served as a 4-H leader and she also enjoyed quilting.

She is survived by her son David Edward Swartz, daughter Becky Shultz (Henry), both of Centralia. Grandchildren Sarah Gehring, Centralia, Jody Skinner (Michael), Rachel Reister (Jake), Washougal, WA, Sterling, VA, Joel Swartz, Centralia, Brian Swartz (Gina), Columbia; 13 great-grandchildren, Marrin, Jacob, and Evan Skinner, Cooper Gehring, Corbyn and Rory Reister, Matthew, Nick, Harper, Maddox, and Ellie Swartz, Hannah and Ethan Sorum; Sister-in-law Evelyn Robertson, several cousins and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Edward, her parents, her brother Claude Buckley Robertson    Brother in law Roy Swartz and his wife Margaret Swartz, and sister-in-law Carrie Huff.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested to Park View Christian Church, or the Missouri State Fair Foundation and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home 104 S. Collier Street, Centralia, MO 65240.