Helen was born in Kansas City, KS on 11 March 1923 to Agnes (Gustafson) and Arthur Caulk. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS. She was married to Thomas Gardner for 35 years. She was a long-time employee of the A & P Tea Company as a comptroller and an avid bowler.
Survivors include sons, Patrick Gardner and wife Marcia of Lake Ozark, MO and James Gardner and wife Beth of Grandview, MO, three grandchildren Kelsee, Jacob and Daniel, niece Sharon Vinson and grandniece Patricia Dale and husband Michael.