Helen Lavern Barnes, 94, of Vermillion, KS, died Tuesday, January 10, at the Frankfort Community Care Home in Frankfort. She was born October 31, 1922 in Lincoln Township in Marshall County, to Reuben and Ellen (Swanson) Matson. She attended Marysville schools.

On December 26, 1939, she was united in marriage to August Barnes in St. Joseph, MO. He preceded her in death on September 30, 2000.

Helen was a life-long resident of the Vermillion area. She was a homemaker and enjoyed flowers, gardening and sewing. She helped August with bookkeeping for August’s construction company and held various other jobs. Helen volunteered with the churches and community of Vermillion.

Survivors include two daughters, Joan (Darwin) Skillett, of Centralia KS, and Joyce Gudenkauf, of Vliets, KS; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, August; brother, Vernon Matson; two grandsons, Richard Gudenkauf and Doug Skillett; and a son-in-law, Kale Gudenkauf.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, at the Vermillion Methodist Church. Rev. Virgil Warren will officiate.

Burial will follow at the Vermillion Cemetery.

Padden Funeral Chapel of Frankfort, KS, is in charge of the arrangements