1944-2026
While Travis was overseas during the European conflict, Kathy and her mom Arline lived with Trav’s mother Bertha Currin on South Fourth Street in Bonham. During that year-and-a-half, Arline learned to cook, sew, and can home-grown vegetables. These skills were passed down to Kathy, who became accomplished in all of them.
When Travis returned from the war, he and his best friend Bacon Jones went into business at Plaza Drug Store on the east side of the square in Bonham. Kathy, along with her sister Cindy and her brother Tim, attended all 12 grades of school in Bonham.
At an early age, Kathy showed talent and creativity as shown in her entry in the Miss Wool Contest, where she handmade an off-white wool sheath dress and covered a pair of high heels in matching wool. To enhance the shoes, she added hand-sewn black beads to the toes of the heels.
Kathy played the cornet, beginning in the 6 th grade. When in high school, Kathy tried out and accomplished her life-long dream of being a high school twirler/majorette. She was head twirler for three years.
Kathy was football princess her junior and senior years. Also, during her senior year, Kathy was named Miss Bonham High School.
In what became a family tradition, Kathy attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, majoring in Home Economics. She was a member of Angel Flight, a prominent women’s auxiliary student organization supporting the Air Force ROTC Academy.
While becoming a Red Raider, little did Kathy know that another Red Raider would become her prince charming. Wade Helstrom from Dallas and Kathy began their long journey of love and friendship, marrying in Bonham, Texas, on September 4, 1965. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last month.
Wade, who was in the insurance business in management roles, was fortunate to be offered promotions and relocations to scenic places across the U.S. Kathy set up housekeeping in places like Pittsburg, PA, Richmond, VA, Marietta, GA, Tampa, FL, and finally Madison, MS.
Kathy’s career was varied, from school teaching to assistant dietician at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, PA, to cake decorating to entertaining at children’s birthday parties with her clown business, and finally as an ophthalmologist tech in Jackson, MS, before retiring.
Kathy cherished both a prince charming in Wade and a pride and joy in her daughter Heather. The Helstrom house was fun, lively, and busy. As a mother, Kathy was able to excel in her passions—baking and sewing. If she wasn’t decorating cupcakes, she was creating Halloween costumes. She accomplished all of this while designing and maintaining a beautiful, award-winning yard.
Wade has always been supportive of Kathy’s activities. In Madson, she has been active in St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, where she launched a Pillowcase Pals ladies’ group that makes beautiful pillowcases for hospitals. Another love of Kathy’s is the local garden club. Above all, she has always channeled her talents and passions into being a treasured friend.
Preceding Kathy in death were her parents Travis and Arline Currin and her in-laws Herb and Jean Helstrom. Surviving is her husband of 61 years, Wade Helstrom; their daughter Heather Gomez of Miami; grandsons Courtney Helstrom (Victoria) and Diego Mendez; brother Tim Currin of Ridgway, Colorado; sister Cindy Baker Burnett of Bonham, Texas; brothers-in-law Corky Helstrom of Carrollton, Texas; Scott Dorn of Carrollton, Texas; and Lanny Burnett of Bonham, TX; and sisters-in-law Carol Helstrom Dorn of Carrollton, Texas; Michelle Helstrom of Carrollton, Texs; and Deb Currin of Ridgway, Colorado.
Kathy’s memorial service will be at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
