Helen (Elka) Baker

The Lord called upon Helen to be with Him on Friday, April 15th, 2011. Helen resided most of her life in Boston, PA; however spent the last five years living in Topeka, Kansas. Helen was born 1922 in Scothaven, PA to Helen Verbus and Pete Yongovich. She was the last remaining of seven children. The Yongovich Family made their home in Boston PA in 1928. In 1940 Helen married John Paul Andrew Baker and they too settled in Boston. They had two children Mary Ann Baker-Goff born in 1940 and John Andrew Baker Jr. born 1943. Helen’s life was her two children and she raised them in the Catholic faith. Her husband John passed away in 1975. Her daughter, Mary Ann, was called to be with the Lord in September of 2009. Mary Ann married William Thomas Goff in 1960 at St. Dennis Catholic Church, Versailles Boro, PA. They had two children Todd Allan of Wichita, Kansas and Patti jon of Topeka, Kansas. Her grandson, Todd, gave her two great-grandchildren; Travis Allan and Courtney Austin of Durant, Oklahoma. She was so looking forward to seeuing Travis graduate of South Eastern Oklahoma State University in May. At Holy Trinity Catholic Church in McKeesport, PA., Helen’s son, John, married Billie Jean Oleska. Together, they had two daughters, Erin of York, PA and Dawn Renee’ of Ferrell, PA. Erin is married to Michael Hinchcliff of Pittsburgh, PA. Together they gave Helen have four great-grand children Alec Michael, John Robert, Erika Paige, Holly Marie and Great Grand-Dog, Isabella. Jesse, Shaylee and Skyler are Helens Great Grand-Dogs from Dawn. When first moving to Topeka, Helen lived with her daughter, Mary Ann and son-in-law Bill. After Mary Ann’s passing she moved in with Patti jon. Helen spent her days with her six Grand-dogs, Mooey, Annie, Sunny, Lexi, Zoe and Kellie. She proudly displayed pictures of her family in her room and almost every visitor was given the genealogical tour. Her second favorite past-time was playing the slot machines. Besides her immediate family Helen leaves behind her beloved brother- in-law, Donald Lundberg of McKeesport, PA and nephew, Donald Jr. and his four daughters, her close nieces and their families: Dorothy (Verbus) Rossi of Chicago Heights, Il, Darlene Yongovich of North Huntington, PA, Patty Derkas of Pittsburgh, PA and Ralph Baker of McKeesport, PA. There are too many relatives to mention all, but rest assured, you were always in her heart. Family was everything to Helen. Come celebrate Helen’s life, listen to Polka Music and reminisce at Bekavac Funeral Home on Tuesday April 19th from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Wednesday April 20th, Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 12:00 p.m. with burial following at Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614.

Helen (Elka) Baker

January 1, 1753 - April 15, 2011