Helen Naomi Barber Deater, 92 and a lifelong resident of Rapid City, passed away in Traverse City after a short illness on June 3, 2011.
She was born on September 3, 1918 to the late Howard and Elizabeth (Peck) Barber in Rapid City. Helen attended elementary and high school in Kalkaska County. She married Harvey O. Deater on January 5, 1936. They lived briefly in Muskegon but returned to Rapid City where she lived in the same home for nearly 70 years and where her 60 direct decedents could always find a meal and lots of love.
Helen was the Hot Lunch Manager and cooked the meals at the Rapid City School for 30 years. She was a member of the Rapid City Church of Christ, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a loyal Detroit Tiger fan. She took pride in her home and gardens and her door was always open to friends and family. After retirement she enjoyed traveling in the US and spending many winters in New Port Richie, Florida.
Survivors include daughters, Donna (Donald) Playford of Hillsdale, Wanda (John) Conway of Mancelona; sons, Ned Deater of Rapid City, Tom (Lisa) Deater of Palm City, Florida; her younger sister, Ruth Taisey of Troy. Helen was very happy and proud of her family which also included 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and 9 great great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other family members and dear friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey; her son, Gerald S. (Faye) Deater; great-grandson, Mitchell Norton; her siblings, Russell, William, Laurence and Adella Crothers.
Mom had a positive "can do" spirit..she always said, "where there's a will, there is a way." She valued education and promoted advanced education and training for her children and grandchildren. Helen supported her children and community in so many ways, wishing only to help make life easier for everyone.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 7th from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at the Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Clearwater Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the donor's choice in Helen's name. Condolences can be left online at wolfeoneill.com.
