Obituary for Helen J. Schademan-Barbee Helen J. Schademan-Barbee, 88, of Toppenish went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 6th. Her 15-month journey with pancreatic cancer strengthened her faith and conviction in Christ. Helen was born on July 25th, 1929 in Peoria, Illinois to Henry G. and Hattie Leidig.
She lived there until the age of 3, at which time the family moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana. She spent 9 years there, where she attended school and enjoyed life with her family. At the age of 12, she joined her family in their move to Washington, where they settled in Granger.
She attended the remainder of her schooling in the Granger District. While as a teenager, she began working for family friends at Parkside Nursing Home in Yakima as a health care aide. This experience led her to obtain her Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate in February of 1950.
She spent the next 27 years working in the medical field at the Toppenish Hospital and private practices in Harrah and Zillah. Then, after moving to Bellevue she began a new career as the Executive Housekeeper for the Red Lion Hotel. After nearly 20 years in this position, she retired and moved back to the Yakima Valley.
Helen had a strong work ethic and even though she was ‘officially retired’, she continued to labor. Most recently, at the age of 85, she assisted her children in Harrah at Harold’s Market, earning the nickname of “The Dust Buster” from many of the locals. On March 21st, 1948 she married Vernon Schademan of Toppenish.
Together, they raised three beautiful children: Donald, Weldon, and Verena. After Vernon passed away, Helen remarried Larry Barbee of Granger. Helen truly enjoyed her family and friends.
She spent hours on the back patio or at her kitchen table socializing and reminiscing. She loved to talk! If she wasn’t in a conversation, she could be found tending to her flowers or garden as she kept an immaculate yard.
Helen and her twin sister, Margaret, were inseparable. They were very active, traveling the local countryside, exploring antique shops and spending quality time together. The only thing stronger than Helen’s love for her family was her faith in the Lord.
She spent hours watching 3ABN, reading her Bible, at church, or at numerous church socials and potlucks. She truly loved the Lord, her church and her church family. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Hattie May Leidig, brother Robert, her twin sister Margaret (Quishenberry), brother Harold, husband Vernon Schademan, husband Larry Barbee.
She is survived by sons Donald (Sandra) Schademan, Weldon (Karen) Schademan, daughter Verena (Larry) Myers, brother Jim (Nancy) Leidig, stepchildren Larry Barbee Jr. and Laura (Bill) Byan, six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Heartlinks Hospice and Palliative Care as they provided great care and compassion to Helen. Visitation will be on Thursday July 12, 2018 from 1-4PM at Colonial Funeral Home.
Family, friends, and others whose lives were touched by Helen are invited to celebrate her life during services on Friday, July 13th, 2018 at Zillah Seventh-Day Adventist Church (202 5th Street, Zillah WA 98953) beginning at 10:00 am. Graveside services to follow at the Zillah Cemetery. Friends can send condolences at www.
toppenishfunerals.com. Heggie’s Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Helen J. Schademan-Barbee please visit our Sympathy Store.
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