Barber County Kansas
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Barber County Kansas |
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The Gyp Hill Premiere, February 5, 2007.
Helen Lee Coleman
Helen Lee Coleman was born on Dec. 28, 1926 to Fred and Laura Coleman of Danville, KS and grew up on the farm there. She graduated from Harper High School. After graduation she came to live with her cousin, Florence Stranathan and husband Carl Stranathan, who was sheriff of Barber County at the time. Helen worked at The Sweet Shop and the local dry cleaners. While living in Medicine Lodge she met Jim Lukens and they were married on Dec. 31, 1944, 3 days after Helen’s 18th birthday. Helen was a farm wife, raising chickens, milking cows, making butter, sewing, and all the other chores that fell to a farm wife of that time. She and Jim had four children, Patti, Gordon, Clay John, and Gay. Clay was killed in an accident on Nov. 12, 1977 and Jim died of a heart attack on Nov. 5, 1980.
Helen was well known for her sewing and knitting abilities and shared her needlework with family and friends. Being rather artistic, she designed and knitted many of the western sweaters featuring horses and riders, bucking broncs, and ropers. She was also known for her angel food cakes, pies and homemade rolls.
She served as community leader for Sunflower 4-H club and as sponsor for the Jr. Saddle Club. She was also a member of the Square Dance on horseback drill team of the Local Saddle and Roping Club and often ran the concession or "pop" stand in the summer.
Helen later married Fred Warren. She and Fred moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon and lived there until failing health forced their Medicine Lodge. Fred later passed away and Helen lived alone in the Senior Citizen apartments on Cherry street until her health forced a move to the Attica Long Term Care Center. She continued to enjoy reading and visits from her family until her death.
Helen is survived by her children, Patti and Husband Bill Barnard, son Gordon Lukens, and daughter Gay and husband Terry Cummins. Her brother Bob Coleman and wife Pat, her grandchildren Jamie Barnard, Beth Ward, Julie Barnard, Chris Barnard, Buffy Slocum, Bobby Cummins, and Brandy Cummins and 5 great grandchildren. She also leaves many other family members and friends.
Thanks to Kevin Noland, publisher of The
Gyp Hill Premiere, Medicine Lodge, Kansas, for permission to
republish the above obituary from his newspaper.
http://www.gyphillpremiere.com/
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