Lena Laura Hamel, age 100, passed from this earthly life to her Heavenly home on Sat., Aug.4, 2012 at Cloud County Health Center , Concordia. She was born on Nov. 1, 1911 in Miltonvale , KS to Albert & Emma (Girard) Paquette, Sr. She had 5 brothers & 2 sisters. On Oct. 7, 1931 she married Ernest Hamel and moved to a farm near St. Jo , KS , where they lived until 1940. It was during this time that 2 children, Theresa & Ivan were born. Later, they moved to a farm near Clyde , where they lived until 1962 and then moved to Concordia. Lena was a nurse's aid at St. Anne Home and Mt. Joseph for twenty years. Through the years, Lena participated and contributed her time to many worthy activities: Altar Society, St. Anne's Society, VFW & American Legion Ladies Auxiliaries and was a volunteer for AARP. Lena was a very loving person and throughout her life was best known for her courage and strength in times of adversity. Her friends and family will forever remember her for her selflessness, her loving ways and although she was critically ill for so many years, she never voiced a complaint. She will live in our hearts forever and never be forgotten.

Lena was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 45 years, Ernest; son, Ivan; brothers, Bert & wife Catharine, Bill & wife Mildred, Ray & wife Anna Marie, Leo & wife Pat & Donald Lee; sisters, Rena (Sorell) Payeur & Lucille Hood & husband Ralph.

Lena is survived by her daughter, Theresa Travis (Kenneth), Midland, TX; daughter in law, Joan Hamel, Clyde, sister in law, Bernice Tremblay, FL; grandchildren, Debi Musick (Casey), Humble, TX, Gary Travis (Bryanette) Aransas Pass, TX, Jim Travis (Mary Jo), Maple Valley, WA, Kristi Sberna (Sal), Tomball, TX, Janet Pierce (Bill), Susan LeDuc (Jim), Barbara George (Mike) all of Clyde, Brenda Brown, Olathe & Deanne Haist (Tom), Houston, TX; 26 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren & numerous nieces & nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Wed., Aug. 8 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Rev. Larry Letourneau officiating and burial following at St. Concordia Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 am to 9 pm with an Altar Society Rosary at 5 PM and a Vigil Service at 6 PM, Tues., Aug. 7 all at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the church or Park Villa Nursing Home.