Helen Maxine (Merrill) Busboom, of Seward, was born Oct. 18, 1927, to Wiston and Amy (Fougeron) Merrill in Pleasant Dale.
She attended elementary school at District #17 in Pleasant Dale and graduated from Pleasant Dale High School. She then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for one year, earning her teaching degree. She taught in a country school for two years. On May 23, 1948, Helen was united in marriage to Harold Busboom at United Methodist Church in Pleasant Dale. Helen was a farm wife and worked as a secretary at the State Capitol and also for UNL Textiles Clothing and Design for 22½ years, retiring in 1992. In her free time, she enjoyed teaching piano and organ, which she did for 25 years. She was also the church organist at Zion Lutheran church for 26 years, where she was a loyal member. Music was Helen’s passion. She composed many instrumental numbers, a few with words and she made arrangements for piano and organ duets. She also rewrote The Lord’s Prayer, making it easier for people to sing at church. Helen was an avid photographer. She did photography for anniversaries and weddings. She also made copies of old pictures of Zion Lutheran Church and worked on the Pleasant Dale History video committee. Helen passed away Aug. 17, 2022, in Seward, at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 30 days.
She is survived by her children, Carolyn Busboom of Lincoln, and Wayne Busboom of Seward; grandchildren, Clayton Busboom and Becky Busboom both of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Hannah Busboom, Riley Busboom and Kinsley Busboom; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Wiston and Amy Merrill; husband, Harold Busboom; sisters and brothers-in-law, Joanne and Melvin Lostroh, Gene and Julia Lee Melichar and Cheryl Ott; sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Nelda and Norval Brandt.
The funeral service was Aug. 20 at Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln with interment at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the church. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
