Obituary

Helen Elaine (Romberger) Baker, age 90, passed away peacefully in Bellingham, WA, on February 10, 2021, with family by her side, after an injury-related illness.

Helen was born in Talmage, Kansas on January 23, 1931 to parents Willie Edgar and Mabel Romberger. Together with her three siblings, they grew up on the family farm.

She moved to Abilene, Kansas and graduated high school. After working as a private secretary for two years, she moved to Topeka, Kansas and attended Washburn University taking commerce classes and voice lessons.

With a group of friends, Helen served as a USO hostess where she met her husband, George Baker. George and Helen were married on July 14, 1953 in Topeka, Kansas. They traveled to Bellingham in 1954 where they settled and raised their three children.

Helen was an active member of Garden Street United Methodist Church, in Bellingham, since 1957. She was also a long-time member of the United Methodist Women. Her relationship with Jesus was shown by attending church every Sunday, morning devotions and involvement in church events and choir. Helen found peace in prayer and would go out of her way to stop and pray with anyone.

Helen loved her daily 2.4-mile walk and could be seen picking up trash off the sidewalks of Bellingham. Helen was featured in an article by the Bellingham Herald as “The Garbage Lady”. She would visit “shut in’s” as part of her community service with the church. You could find her visiting residents in local assisted living and nursing facilities that did not otherwise have visitors. Helen was part of the church quilting group. Here, she formed many life-long friendships. Her hand stitched quilts would be gifted by her to her family for life milestones. Helen was an avid birdwatcher, gardener, singer, member of the local hiking club and had a love of dance. She took pride in maintaining her and her family’s flower beds and bird feeders.

You could always find a full cookie jar and delicious baked pies for holiday and birthday gatherings. She was an excellent homemaker and always went out of her way to keep a clean home with homemade meals and snacks for family and friends.

Helen’s family will remember her as someone who put her family and others above herself. She went out of her way to meet new people and make them feel loved. She gave the best hugs!

Helen is survived by her three children, Scott (Dorothy) Baker, Barbara (Joey) Cordeau, and Janet (Gary) Starkey, as well as, seven grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband George Baker and siblings Joyce, Evelyn, twins LeRoy and Bobbie, and Edyth.

Our family would like to thank Whatcom Hospice and Pastor Kathy Hartgraves for their care and support during the last few days of Helen’s life.

Helen will be laid to rest with her husband George at Greenacres Memorial Park Cemetery, in Ferndale, WA. A memorial service will be held at a later date when we can all gather together again. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Garden Street United Methodist Church- 1326 N Garden St, Bellingham, WA 98225 or online donation via http://gardenstreetumc.org/give/.