Helen Mae Barnes

Helen May Barnes, age 95, of Baldwin City, KS, passed away June 21, 2013 at Comfort Care Homes, Baldwin City, KS. She was born January 17, 1918 in Fontana, KS to LaFayette and Ada Montague-Smith. Helen was the youngest with six fun-loving and wonderful brothers. After graduating from Paola High School in 1937, she married Harry Barnes on June 29, 1938. Mom taught school a couple of years at a Maple Grove one-room school house until things changed and a college education was required. In the next unsettled years of World War II, Harry went to the war front and Helen worked as various store clerks and stayed with her Mom in Kansas City. After the war, Harry came home and they had their only son, Daryl. She became a housewife and then went to work as a seamstress at Osawatomie State Hospital and retired from there in 1983. Helen lived in Hillsdale/ Paola area most of her married life and then went to care facilities in Baldwin in her later years. The last two years have been at Comfort Care in Baldwin and she had a quality life. Helen was much loved for the twinkle in her eye, a really beautiful smile and really fun-loving sense of humor. She will be sorely missed by family and friends. Helen was preceded in death by all of her siblings, parents, and husband Harry. She has her son Daryl and his wife Margaret, two grandchildren, Angela, and Shawn Barnes, his wife Abigail and two great-grandchildren, Tait Barnes and Autumn Barnes. The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society.