Helen Marie Rhoades

Apr 7, 1941 — Sep 10, 2026

Burlington, Colorado

Helen Marie Rhoades. Photo courtesy of Koons-Russell Funeral Home

Helen Marie Rhoades was born April 7, 1941 to Harley and Florence Esther (Barnhart) Rhoades. She was welcomed into the family by her older brother Ray. Coming into this world, was difficult and the doctors knew she had been injured in some way along her cerebral nerve from an accident in the use of forceps. Regardless, Helen was a healthy, strong child who could run and jump and play like any girl her age. It wasn’t until she began speaking that the true extent of her injury became apparent. That did not stop Helen from being the dynamic, strong willed, precocious and sweet person she was. It only proved that she was fearfully and wonderfully made by God from the start.

Living northeast of town Helen attempted going to the Beaver Valley School but it was decided she needed extra help that was not available to her here. Harley and Esther made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to send Helen to Denver to attend a School for Children with Cerebral Palsy where her education could be tailored to her specific needs. This decision was terribly difficult for her parents and her brother Ray. Harley made sure that she was always to be taken care of first and foremost before anything or anyone else. I’m sure that his wishes were met through many family members and friends throughout her life.

When she was just a young girl, Helen was placed with a loving family whose son also attended the same school. The Hale’s were Helen’s second family who loved and cared for her as their own. They were a godsend; but for Esther the separation from Helen was very hard. Knowing it was in her best interest made it bearable. The Hales became close friends and even took Helen to Hawaii on vacation. From that one trip, Helen became our family’s best hula dancer and she would frequently show off her skills!

Helen came home every summer for 31 yrs until she was accepted as a client at DDI in 1977. It was a facility perfectly suited for her continued support. This made Esther exceedingly happy. Helen could live at home full time…just what Esther had always wanted! From this joy came a lot of spoiling! Even though she was spoiled and a tad bit ornery; she was also very sweet. We believe Helen always knew God was her Savior. She would always tell us… “I pray for you” and she even spent many hours sitting at the table copying the Bible into her notebooks. She loved Jesus and would often sing Jesus Loves Me to us all.

In her adult years, her time at DDI was filled with many group outings around the area. They made irrigation socks for local farmers. She even had jobs working to clean the Post office, the Parks and the Senior Center. Helen was always proud tell you how. “I sweep, I dut, I do evy thing!” She was happy to go with her friends from DDI to go bowling. She was proud be our family’s only champion bowler! Besides hula dancing; bowling was one more thing Helen could claim champion status that the rest of us can’t!

Her favorite times with family were Fridays, Family Reunions and all the holidays. No matter the reason for the gathering, you could find Helen at the table making sure her plate was full. In her mind there was always room for more dessert!

Among her many gifts, Helen could remember dates. She loved calendars and watching the weather and loved counting the days to the next family event. She learned to accept all the new additions to her family through marriages and births. She ended up with a lot of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nephews. She was equally excited about remembering their birthdays….that meant cake and ice cream! Red velvet cake was always a family favorite.

Esther and Helen moved into the Legacy in 2006. It was a hard transition for Esther, but Helen enjoyed playing games with the other residents. Esther fell ill and one month later at the age of 98, Esther passed away on Christmas Eve. We know that Esther’s long life was due to having Helen by her side. After her mother passed, Helen moved permanently into the Martin house at DDI as a full-time resident. That day was like her first day as a college freshman …moving in with her best friends. For 20 years she loved her time with her housemates and staff people at DDI.

Helen’s birth and her struggles here on earth may seem unfortunate but God made sure Helen was well loved by many people and when she left this world it was beautiful and peaceful. Helen went to her heavenly home on September 10th, 2026 to be with Jesus, to be with her parents, her brother Ray and many other family and friends. She was blessed to live a full and happy life. Those of us left behind will miss her and we will wear a smile when we think of her.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Harley and Esther and by her brother Ray.

She is survived by her Sister in Law Sara Lee Rhoades of Burlington, CO, her nephews Gary (Kendra) Rhoades of Burlington, CO, Bobby (Shari) Rhoades of Burlington, CO, Jay (Angela) of Douglas, WY. Her niece Judy (Larry) Feldhousen of Burlington, CO. Helen’s Great Nieces & Families, Karah (Joseph) Reygers and children Abby and Jacoby of Parker, CO. Kolby (Daniel) Melia and children Benton, Baylor, Bowen and Briggs of Burlington, CO LaRae (Darren) Dobler and children Conrad, Corbin and Chadron of Burlington, CO, Haedyn (Coulton) Lentz and baby Violet Jae (due in December) of Douglas, WY. Her Great Nephews & Families, Logan (Jennifer) Feldhousen and children Tucker, Lander, Wilder and Juniper, Brok (Hannah) Rhoades and son Beau of Burlington, CO, Brant (Larrah) Rhoades and son Paven of Vernon, CO, Harley Rhoades of Hastings, NE, her aunt, Marvelene Fetters of Littleton, CO who will be 102 years of age.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the Helen M. Rhoades Memorial Fund and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.