December 9, 1934 ~ September 11, 2016
Helen Rose Jindra was born December 9, 1934 to Edward and Rose (Berka) Jindra in Caldwell, Kansas. She passed from this life the evening of September 11, 2016 at the Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City, Kansas. She was 81 years old.
Helen grew up on multiple farms. She started her life as a farm girl in Oklahoma living 6 miles west and 2 miles north of Renfrow, Oklahoma. She attended Hickory Center Country School. While living in Oklahoma, Helen welcomed 2 brothers, Laddie and Jim. The farm is now called the Jindra Place.
Then in the year of 1942 Edward and Rose moved the family to a farm 12 miles north of Caldwell. Helen attended Hahn and Pleasant Valley Country Schools and later Caldwell High School with her brother Laddie. Helen could recall that the ground on this farm was very rocky and hard to farm. Therefore in 1951 Edward and Rose moved the family to a farm 4 miles west of the Chicaskia River on Highway 44.
Helen and the family got to enjoy living in a new house after they spent time living in a chicken house while the new house was being built. Helen and Laddie still attended Caldwell High School and Helen would tell the stories of waiting after school for her brother because of his love for sports.
Helen met Thomas Baker thru her friend Cleda Baker and later married on August 13, 1955. They moved to a farm 6 miles west and 2 miles south of Caldwell, Kansas and resided there until 2013.
Between 1955 and 2013 Helen and Tom raised 4 children. Rick who was born May 18, 1957; Sherry and Terry (the twins) born Feb. 7, 1960 and Marty on Dec. 1, 1965.
Helen helped Tom farm in every aspect until the children were old enough to drive equipment. She made all the meals. During the first two years of the newly weds life Grandpa Charlie Baker would be a frequent guest on the farm. Grandpa hadn’t fully retired yet and continued farming the Hogland place along with helping Tom.
Helen cared for countless animals, domestic and wild. She talked about the three hundred chickens she fed and watered and also liked to garden. She and her mother seemed to compete for the best tomatoes. Helen also knew when to take a break, she would take us kids down to the little water bridge on Bluff Creek to cool off.
Wheat harvest to Helen was one very busy period of time. At least it was to us kids as she became a drill sergeant. Wheat was the main source of income so when it was ready to be harvested you better be ready also, otherwise you would be getting an earful.
During those years Helen spent countless hours attending football games, basketball games, track meets and school functions. Helen was not one who forced children to participate but merely encouraged and hoped her children enjoyed what they were doing.
School and book work was a different story. You better take care of your grades, that was non-negotiable.
As Helen’s children left the nest grandchildren began to arrive and Helen extremely enjoyed spending time with them.
Helen began slipping away from us with the loss of her mother in 2008. We noticed that mom was having trouble remembering things. Helen being the simple kind hearted individual never seemed to complain. She let the bad flow down the creek just like the water flows by the little water bridge. Before her memory faded away, Helen like to help out at the Kolache Kitchen and make those delicious Kolaches. Even as Helen’s memory did fade she still enjoyed one of the basic things of farm life; taking care of animals, especially her cats. Until a few days before her death she would always make sure to ask if the cats were fed.
Helen was given news on June 24 that she had an incurable cancer. The family gathered round to give her as much support as they could. Thru it all Helen never lost that simple, kind hearted spirit. Even when Helen was in pain she would apologize to the nurses for having to ask for help. Helen touched the lives of many strangers in the last months and will be missed by not only family but her extended family here in Caldwell and at the Presbyterian Manor.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Rose Jindra; and her brother Laddie Jindra.
She is survived by her husband, Tom of Caldwell; her brother, Jim Jindra and his wife Linda of Hesston, Kansas; four children, Rick Baker of Pittsburg, Kansas, Sherry Bawl and her husband David of Wichita, Kansas, Terry Baker of Kansas City, Missouri, Marty Baker and his wife Whitney of Arkansas City, Kansas; four grandchildren; Daninaca, Delicia, Dallas and Denver Bawl all of Wichita, Kansas; one step-grandchild, Ashley and her husband, Dustin Lynn of Arkansas City, Kansas. Her legacy included five great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Schaeffer Mortuary Chapel, Caldwell.
Memorials may be given in Helen's name to the Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund or to the CHS Alumni Association and left in care of the mortuary.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Thinking of you...
Jackie Ballinger - 09/13/2016
Terry,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Please know thoughts and prayers are being said for you and your family.
Jackie
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May God Grant you comfort
Kenny Sapp - 09/13/2016
May God Grant you comfort
Terry, You and your family are in my prayers. May God grant you his comfot in this time of sorrow.
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so sorry for your loss. when
louise mcgregor - 09/13/2016
so sorry for your loss. when ever i would see Helen in town we always had a good visit.... i could tell she was having problems but i always tried to carry on a conversation with her.... she seemed to enjoy our visits....
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Helen, you will be missed as
Carolyn Claypole - 09/14/2016
Helen, you will be missed as a friend and classmate. My deepest sympathy to your family.
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Prayers and Peace at this
Mary Kern - 09/14/2016
Prayers and Peace at this time of sorrow to Tom and familys.
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What a wonderful woman your
Debbie Kolarik ... - 09/14/2016
What a wonderful woman your wife/ mother was! I always enjoyed visiting with her. My prayers go out to you Tom and children during this time.
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We are very sorry to learn of Helen's passing.
Jerry and Maril... - 09/15/2016
I remember all 4 of the Jindra kids as they were in school at Hahn on highway 44. Helen and Laddie were a few years ahead of me in school and Jim was a year behind me. Jerry knew Helen and Tom's kids as he was principal at the high school. Marty was in our nephew Mike's class. I always enjoyed connecting with Helen when I would see her at the grocery store with Tom. I know she will be missed, but we are glad she is no longer suffering. Our prayers to to Helen's family.
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Marty..You were an awesome
Tammy Case RN - 09/24/2016
Marty..You were an awesome son..the love you showed for your mother was inspiring..no doubt she left this life knowing how much you loved her..you are in my thoughts as you walk through these painful days..Thank you for the beautiful flowers for all the staff..your mother will be missed.
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