Helen Marie Rhodes, age 95, of Osawatomie, Kansas, died Friday October 7, 2011 at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie, Ks.

Helen was born January 27, 1916 in Fontana, Kansas. She was the second of eight children born to James Fred and Eva May (Surber)Barden.

She attended a country grade school and when the family moved to town she attended the Osawatomie school system, graduating with the class of 1933. Helen had twelve years of perfect attendance. She won the Miami County Spelling Bee three years.

She was married to Clarence Pleasant “Dusty” Rhodes in Paola, Kansas on February 12, 1935. They moved to Garnett, Kansas for about four years, then to Osawatomie in the late 30’s, where Dusty worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.They were the parents of five children. When the children reached school age, Helen went to work at the Osawatomie State Hospital for a few years as a Psychiatric Aide.

Helen was a member of the 1st Baptist Church of Osawatomie, The MERA Class and the National Association of Retired Veteran Railway Employees. For many years Helen and Dusty belonged to the Twin Rivers Campers Club and in addition they traveled and camped in many areas. She also helped with the Osawatomie Alumni Association before taking over as the class secretary for her high school class for several years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one infant daughter; one son, James Pleasant Rhodes; two brothers, Marvin Barden and Fred J. Barden; four sisters, Donna Davis, Mildred Marvin, Winnifred Osmon, Velma Betcher; and one infant sister.

She is survived by one son, Larry Richard Rhodes of Osawatomie, Ks. two daughters, Doris Ann Wilson of Garnett, Ks. and Linda Marie Haskins, Ks. of Osawatomie, Ks. and a host of grandchildren,great grandchildren,and great, great grandchildren.

Services will be held 10a.m., Wednesday, October 12, at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Ks. Followed by burial at Beagle Cemetery, Beagle, Kansas. Visitation is 6-8pm, Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are to the 1st Baptist Church of Osawatomie and Hospice Care of Kansas.