BENKELMAN – Marie Helen Talmon, 94, died Friday (Sept. 26, 2003) at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. She was born May 30, 1909, to Joseph and Josephine (Meyers) Svantner in Hazen, Ark. She moved with her family to Nebraska at an early age.  She graduated from high school in St. Paul. In 1930, she married John Micek at St. Paul.  The family moved to Benkelman in 1943, where Marie worked in retail sales for many years.

On April 3, 1950, she was united in marriage to John D. Talmon. The couple lived on a farm southeast of Benkelman.  After retirement in 1968, the couple moved to their home in Benkelman.  In 1982, after her husbands death, she moved to Rainbow Fountain Park where she lived until the spring of 2000 when she moved to Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Benkelman, and was active in the United Methodist Women. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Josephine Svantner; second husband, John D. Talmon; and two sisters, Rose Janovec and Alice Callahan.

Survivors include her daughter, Darlene Ostdiek and husband, Louis of Northglenn, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were today at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with Rev. Norman Prather officiating.  Interment will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery. Memorials may be given in her name to the Benkelman United Methodist Church or to the Dundy County Hospital Foundation. Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of the arrangements.