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Helen Barker
HELEN MARY BARKER
Coggon
Helen Mary Barker, 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at St. John's Catholic Church in Coggon, with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Coggon. This will be followed by a luncheon at the American Legion in Coggon. The family will receive visitors from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Murdoch Funeral Home in Central City, with a vigil service beginning at
1:30 p.m.
Helen, daughter of John and Mary (Casey) McDonell, was born May 15, 1922, in Coggon, Iowa. Helen grew up on her family farm, the third of seven children. She attended Coggon High School and graduated in 1940. It was there she met the love of her life, Kenny Barker. They were married in 1945, when he was on leave during his duty with the Navy. She attended business college in Cedar Rapids.
Helen and Kenny lived in Coggon and at a nearby farm all of their lives where they raised six children. She was a devout Catholic and quietly exemplified her faith every day. Helen was known for being exceptionally friendly and social. She never met a stranger, she could talk to anyone about anything. She ensured that all guests were well-fed and particularly liked making cookies for grandchildren. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, fish fries and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes.
She is survived by her husband, Kenny; her children, Elaine (Ron) Rogers of Waunakee, Wis., Jan Wilton of Longmont, Colo., Terry Barker of Coggon, Denise (Michael) Mack of Bettendorf, Patricia Horton of Bettendorf and Dave (Rhonda) Barker of Highlands Ranch, Colo. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother. Dick of Quincy, Wash.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ronald and John; and her sisters, Vera, Jeanne and Doris.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph Indian School of Chamberlain, S.D., in Helen's honor.
Please share a memory of Helen at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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