Helen C. Garst

Helen Catherine Garst, 90, formerly of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Earlene Howard Hospice House in Springdale.

Helen was born on December 29, 1934, in Lordsburg, New Mexico. She was the daughter of D.D. Upshaw and Winters “Peggy” Whitaker. Helen married John B Garst in 1959 in Dallas, Texas, who preceded her in death in 2018. Helen and John were committed and strong in their Christian faith and service to the church and community. They served for two years with the Wycliffe Bible translators in Peru and in later years as ESL teachers in Thailand with the International Mission Board. Helen was an active member of Covenant Church in Siloam Springs, serving in the Women’s Ministries, teaching Sunday School, and also working with children in the AWANA program. She was also very patriotic and an active member of Republican Women, where she served as Prayer Chaplain. She worked as a secretary before she and John were married, and then became a homemaker and mother. While in Thailand, Helen taught English, and in later years, also taught ESL at Dogwood Literacy in Siloam Springs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one sister, one half brother and one half sister.

Helen is survived by three sons, John Dee Garst and wife Jacqui of Conway, Arkansas, James Benjamin Garst and wife Shelley of Proctor, Oklahoma, and Peter Marshall Garst and wife Stephanie of Bella Vista, Arkansas; one daughter, Andrea Karen Garst of Fayetteville, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Zachary Friedman, Sam Friedman, Kayleigh Smith and husband Forrest, Joshua Garst and wife Ruthie, Allyson Vega and husband Luis, Jessica Clark and husband Brent, Joy Garst, Jonathan Garst and Aaron Garst and wife Micha; five great grandchildren, Nolan Smith, Roman Vega, Walker Vega, Arya Smith, and Knox Garst; along with many other family members and friends.

A Visitation will be held Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Chapel from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Covenant Church in Siloam Springs at 2:00pm. Burial will be held at the Oak Hill Cemetery.

The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR.