Helen Barber Obituary

Helen Lorraine Barber was born June 4th, 1934 on the island of Akutan, in the territory of Alaska. During the bombing of Dutch Harbor in 1942 the people of Akutan were forced to take shelter in the hills. They were then relocated to Ketchikan, Alaska where she was raised by her mother Vera and stepfather Earl Gilbert.

In 1953 she met Stanley Barber who was stationed in Ketchikan with the United States Coast Guard. On September 24th, 1954 she married Stanley Barber and subsequently moved to the Barber family ranch near LongValley, South Dakota in 1955.

Helen was a loving giving mother, who along with Stanley raised six children on the ranch. She loved gardening and tending to her flower beds. She still found time to become an expert seamstress, baker and cook. Other things she enjoyed were painting and helping her children with their 4-H projects. Living on the ranch, Helen developed a love for cats after rescuing two strays cat that showed up on the deck at Christmas time one year. Helen was a woman who dedicated her life to helping her family and animals in need of shelter.

She is survived by her husband Stanley, six children: David Barber (Rapid City), Teresa & Gary Hicks (Rapid City), Joan Barber (Sioux Falls), Danny & Lesa Barber (Black Hawk), Pat & Shannon Gartner (Interior), Amy & Bill Chapman (Black Hawk); eight grandchildren: Will, Emmy, Lacey, John, James, Sonnie, Brett and Austin; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Wright-Hoyt and her husband Herb of Alaska, Geri Gilbert of Oregon, and one brother, John Gilbert & his wife Audrey of Washington state.

Helen was preceded in death by her mother Vera, stepfather Earl, and a younger brother.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka with Father Tyler Dennis officiating.

Interment will immediately follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

Service Details

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, August 17, 2018 - 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Tyler Dennis

MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell - Pianist
Shelby Hanson - Vocalist
Congregational Hymns
“In The Garden”
“Amazing Grace”
“You Are Mine”
“Song of Farewell”

ALTAR SERVER
Marcus Herber

USHERS
Reed Richardson - Mick Hamar

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Guest Book

She was an awesome lady and made us kids feel at home whenever we would visit Amy in High School. She had wonderful float ideas.
~ Ramona Ireland-Iwan-Sandaker Spokane, WA (8/8/2018)

We are sorry for your families loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless
~ Mike & Renae Macy Rapid City, SD (8/16/2018)

Many fond memories of Helen , thoughts and prayers to Stan and children
~ Vern and Annetta Jutila Rapid City, SD (8/5/2018)

So many memories. Helen endured lots of youthful antics from us (and no cell phones to track us down!) I loved being at the ranch -the cats, the horses, brandings and movie nights with milky ways and popcorn. Rest In Peace, dear lady.
~ RoseAnn Wendell Pierre (8/5/2018)

So many memories of Stanley (when we were kids at Harding School he was Sonny) and Helen when she first came to far out Long Valley, what a change in her life. She was a very nice person and kept so busy with farm/ranch life. Cherish all of those fun times, all the good food and love of family. Prayers to help all of you adjust without wife/mom, God helps with healing, it takes time but somehow gets easier. God bless you all.
~ Betty Lou Allen Stratton Pierre, SD (8/16/2018)

Our sympathy and prayers to the Barber Family.
~ Donald & Jolene Haynes Philip, SD (8/6/2018)

Sending love and sympathy to all of Helen's family.
~ Ron & Marilyn Gartner Interior SD (8/8/2018)

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for all the family.
~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Rushville, NE (8/9/2018)

You're in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Whirlwind Horse Family Interior, SD (8/7/2018)

Flowers

Owen and Bonnie Ferguson and Family

Doyle's Frame and Auto Body - Nancy and Jeff

Family

Cathie and Cliff Escobar

Betty Lou Stratton and RoseAnn Wendell

Family

Danielle at Dynamic Services

Betty Kusick and Lawrence and Loretta Schreiber

Bill and Deb Gropper, Lois and Roger Porch, Paul and Brenda Gropper, Arla and Stott Patterson, and Families

Badlands National Park Division of Administration

Arnold and Kayla Woodard

All of us at Eddie's Truck Center

Rita Ann Sutton, Todd Stevens and Family, and Troy Stevens and Family

Helen Barber

of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Friday, August 3, 2018 at the Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City at the age of 84

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Friday, August 3, 2018
at the Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City at the age of 84