Versey May (Helker) Keefer was born on February 20, 1932 to Daniel and Katie (LaGrange) Helker at her home in Taylor Canyon, NM. She passed on February 25, 2026 at the age of 94 years and 5 days.

Versey grew up in Taylor Canyon and attended school in Forest, NM. She was the eleventh child of fourteen children. She grew up with her ten brothers Leo, Cleo, Orville, Emmitt, Ennis, Leach, Roland, Clayburn, Olen, Alvin and three sisters Virginia, Dessie, Leona. She moved to California as a teenager with her sisters Dessie and Virginia. She met and married Jerry Keefer on January 1, 1964 in Long Beach, CA. They made their home in Norwalk, CA for many years. In 1987, they moved to Elk City, OK where she has resided since.

Versey enjoyed gardening but most of all she enjoyed taking care of her family. Versey always made sure her family was provided for whether it was helping her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her favorite pass time was family gatherings and she always looked forward to her road trips to California to visit them.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry Keefer, two daughters Darlene Soukup, and Christine Wechsler, parents Daniel and Katie Helker, nine brothers Leo, Cleo, Orville, Emmitt, Leach, Roland, Clayburn, Olen, and Alvin and three sisters Virginia, Dessie, and Leona.

Versey is survived by her daughters Barbara Salazar of Elk City, OK and Nancy Jenkins of Elk City, OK; son-in-law Mark Wechsler of Bethany, OK; grandchildren Dennis Jenkins and wife Stephanie of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mark Weschler and wife Megan of Oklahoma City, OK, Bobby Weschler and wife Staci of Weatherford, OK, Stormy Salazar of Elk City, OK, Roxanne Salazar of Elk City, OK, Shannon Gonzales and husband Agrrelo of Bethany, OK, Susan and Lisa Hendershot of California, Chrissy Castellanos and husband Marcos of Riverside, CA; brother Ennis Helker of Elk City, OK; many great grandchildren, one great great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.