Helen Mathes

Helen Mathes of Buffalo, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on December 1 in a hospital after battling Covid 19 a second time. She was 77.

She was born September 1, 1946, in Sheridan to Arthur Jarrett “Tommy” and Margie (Brown) Barker. Helen was raised on the picturesque Diamond 4 Ranch her parents bought on the banks of French Creek. After excelling at high school academics, flute playing, cheerleading, baton twirling, tap dancing, and barrel racing, Helen graduated from Buffalo High School in 1964 and headed to Colorado State University.

That school, however, was a little overwhelming for a quiet small-town girl. Helen transferred to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming, from which her older brother “Tee” had recently graduated. She became a lifelong UW fan and avid supporter (no one has ever hexed CSU football teams harder in the 50-plus years since).

Helen was a proud member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and, in 1966, she was crowned Miss Wyoming. That experience led her to compete in the Miss America pageant at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where she met Frank Sinatra. She was only 5’3” but her beauty was breathtaking; her intelligence quickly obvious.

After earning her business administration degree from UW in 1968, Helen lived in New York City, then moved to Denver and worked for a prominent regional law firm. That winter, her father passed away, after which Helen moved home. She met Bill Mankin of Gillette at a local roping event. The two were married in March 1971, just one week after Helen’s brother Tee married Cheryl Elliott (the wild celebrations lasted weeks and nearly finished off Helen’s mother who couldn’t quite gain control of the antics).

Bill and Helen had three daughters during their marriage of almost 20 years. Helen adored life on the 4J Ranch, tending animals of all kinds. At different times, she rescued a cat, a fox, a baby antelope, and a goat (most of which ended up in the house), plus dozens of newborn calves chilled down every spring. One horse sipped milk right out of her spoon; a particular cow ate cookies out of her hand. She hauled the older girls and their ponies all over the state to all-girl rodeos in the 1980s, competing herself occasionally but always manning her gigantic video camera.

She developed a lifelong friendship with a ranch-wife neighbor who invited her to join PEO in 1974. Helen always remained a member of that organization and of Campbell County Cattlewomen. She was elected to a seat on the Campbell County School Board and served for several years. During this time (for roughly 40 years) she was also selling and delivering Avon to family and friends. Helen’s never-ending patience meant she loved meetings more than most, and joined at least one investment club, as well.

In 1991, Helen married George Mathes in the Big Horn Mountains, which expanded her family by three sons and gave her more beloved grandchildren over the years, seven to be exact. They were well-loved and spoiled by Helen whenever possible.

Helen had grown up “Daddy’s girl” and never recovered from that loss at the age of 22 – or her desire to be spoiled. George has been able to do that for 32 years, including being there after the tragic death of her brother Tee in 2005.

Small children received the same TLC that Helen gave animals in need. As the director of the Campbell County School District’s Even Start program from 2004-2012, she used “Love and Logic” to change the lives of underprivileged kids. It was a great source of pride for her that the graduation rates of those kids skyrocketed with her Even Start interventions.

She commuted to that job from Buffalo, where she and George had moved in 2003 to live on the Diamond 4. After retirement, the pair also spent summers at their mountain cabin and much of each winter at their Sun City, Arizona home. In all three places, they enjoyed the friends they joined for their regular “Pour At Four” get-togethers. Throughout the decades, Helen was adamant about keeping her beloved cows and raising calves, plus irrigating the fields. But when football season rolled around, she was glued to most all the games – especially to watch the ‘Pokes.

Helen was so ultra-competitive about sports, that she was unbeatable in ping pong her entire life. Plus, in recent years, she was the only grandma in the stands getting warnings from referees at her grandsons’ ball games.

But as heated as she became about winning at sports, she was fulfilled by quiet moments tending flowers and observing wildlife. She took the time to hand-write greeting cards at literally every holiday or occasion she could dream up. Christmas was her favorite, and she loved to wrap countless gifts.

Two of Helen’s traits she picked up from her late mother. One was absolute delight whenever you entered her space. Another was that whatever she had was yours if you needed it, the moment you needed it. Helen was always ready to pitch in. If you were in deep, she was in deep with you. Most of her lifelong friends have said it was her concern, her caring for others, that they noticed most.

She’s survived by her husband, George; her daughters Mandy Mankin of Phoenix, Julie Mankin, and Sara Reed (Todd) of Gillette; her stepsons George Mathes (Tara) of Laramie, Rob Mathes of Denver, and Sean Mathes (Christy) of Gillette plus seven grandchildren. Helen is also remembered by her sister-in-law, Cheryl Barker of Sheridan, her nephews Tab Barker of Austin, Texas, and Gary Barker (Michelle) of Park City, Utah, and her niece Annie Wilkins (Gene) of Kettering, Ohio. Lasting contributions in Helen’s memory can be made in the form of a donation in her name to the Cowboy Joe Club’s Steer-A-Year program at www.cowboyjoeclub.com. Your memories of her and condolences can be submitted by visiting www.harnessfuneralhome.com.