Barbara Helms

Barbara “Barb” Lynn Helms went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. As per her wishes, there will be no services. She is to be cremated, and her family will hold a small ceremony at an unspecified time in Michigan. Barb was born on June 6th, 1953, to Leo and Dorothy (Wilson) Gurecki of Stanton, Michigan. Barbara was something of an enigma – highly sophisticated with etiquette and manners good enough for royalty, but she was perfectly comfortable “roughing it” out in nature and thoroughly enjoyed outdoor adventures with her husband, Jake and her sons. She was also famous for her hospitality. Barb opened her home to everyone, and strangers didn’t remain strangers for very long. This led her to affectionately be known as “Mom” by all the friends of her sons. Hungry? Mom fed you. Need money? Mom lent it. A place to stay? Here’s the spare bedroom. Barb influenced thousands of people across the country as she and Jake lived and worked in many different places over the years in several states. This allowed her to spread God’s gifts of compassion, joy and kindness to people he put in her life, and she never failed to do so. There is no doubt in her family’s mind that upon entering into her eternal glory she was greeted with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” One of her final requests was that her favorite bible verse be shared in her obituary. Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Barb is survived by her husband, Jacob “Jake/Jack” Helms of Highlandville, Iowa; two sons: Todd (Grace) Helms, Powell, Wyoming, Scott (Teesha) Helms, Decorah, Iowa; five grandchildren: Jaycee, Jaelyn, Ennis, Landry and Jedediah Helms; brother, John (Ginger) Gurecki, Stanton, Michigan; Brothers-in-law: David (Corby) Helms, Bill (Jane) Helms; niece, Betsy (Mike) LeVand; nephews: Michael (Elizabeth) Gurecki and Tyler Helms. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Dorothy; father and mother-in-law, Jacob and Edna Helms.