Helen V. Baker

She grew up in Charles City, Iowa, where the family moved after her father accepted a position with the Oliver Corporation. Helen was the middle child with an older brother, Jim Neuhart, and a younger sister Linda (Neuhart) Christianson.

Helen attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls (now Northern Iowa University) where she met her husband-to-be, Ronald Baker of Fairfield, Iowa. Following college they relocated to Dubuque, Iowa, where Ron accepted a position with Durrant & Bergquist Architects and Engineers.

The family grew to include five children. During this time, Helen and Ron were active in the Dubuque Civic Theater and enjoyed all aspects of the productions. Although she preferred working behind the scenes, Helen also acted, and her roles included Helen Sherman in “The Seven Year Itch.”

The family relocated to Greeley, Colorado, in 1970 when Ron accepted a position with Hensel Phelps Construction. Helen found time while raising their five children to develop expertise in international and gourmet cooking.

She later joined the staff of the Greeley Clinic, working in the Medicare Department and later in Records. While there she made close and lifelong friends among her colleagues. She enjoyed going out dancing with friends and her smile always lit up the room.

Following her retirement in 2004 she doted on her her family, friends, and her cat Missy.

Helen is survived by her five children: Valerie Easley, Marti Nelson (Chris) , Jeff Baker (Michelle), Melanie Baker, and Shana Garcia (Jeff Gloyd). Her family also includes seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Weld County, where Helen found her beloved cat, Missy.