Helen Marie Nelson, 101, of Seward, died July 15, 2025.
She was born to Joseph P. and Anna (Divis) Rerucha on June 4, 1924, at home on the farm near Appleton, Nebraska. She attended country school in Appleton for one year and then Kinkaid Country School near Utica throughout her school years. She was united in marriage to Leslie Thorvald Nelson on Nov. 14, 1946, in David City. She was a long-time member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward, serving in many ways. Her faith was strong and she was a prayer warrior once stating “I pray for everybody in the world.”
She and Leslie met at a dance in Appleton. They loved to go to dances throughout the years. They also enjoyed traveling around the country, attending county official conventions. Helen had many gifts and talents, but hospitality was at the top of the list. She graciously welcomed family, friends and strangers into her home for a meal or piece of pie. With her Czech heritage, she was a great cook and made the best baked goods – her apple pie and cinnamon rolls were favorites. Most of all, she was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her children, Shirley (Bill) Hilger of Lincoln, Bernard “Bernie” (Niki) Nelson of Seward, Teresa (Steven) Gleisberg of Seward, and Christine (Ron) Hershberger of Seward; sons-in-law, Lloyd Lipska of Seward and Keith Gehle of New Market, Maryland; gandchildren, Brandon (Catherine) Lipska, Matthew (Aimee) Lipska, Lisa (Alex) Frawley, Brian (Katie) Gehle, Joseph (Sara) Hilger, Sarah (Chris) Spence, Kerri (Ted) Hart, Kacy (Amos) Roth, Cody (Breanna) Nelson, Jeffrey (Emily) Gleisberg, Lucas (Cleo) Gleisberg, Ann (Moi) Diaz. and Jennifer (Sam) Kruvand.
She also leaves 29 great-grandchildren: Emma Pechota, Carson and Mayer Lipska, Rosie Grace-Lipska, Madelyn, Catherine, Anastasia, Joseph, William, Margaret and Lucille Frawley, Emma and Bethany Gehle, Zoe Magnuson, Hazel Hilger, Caleb, Coen and Courtney Spence, Adelyn and Alexis Roth, Bongani, Mokgeseng and Ntsane Nelson, Carter Gleisberg, Ensley and Julia Gleisberg, and Asher and Catherine Diaz Hershberger. A great-grandson is due in August, son of Jeffrey and Emily Gleisberg and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leslie; daughters, Janet Lipska and Mary Ann Gehle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Theodore (Helen) Rerucha, William (Florence) Rerucha, Charles Rerucha, Fred (Velma), (Naomi) Rerucha, Louis (Rose Ella) Rerucha, Benjamin (Anna) Rerucha; sisters and brothers-in-law, Albina (Raymond) Kozisek, Martha (Louis) Zima, Hattie (Frank) Voboril, Celestine (Raymond) Vanis, and Adeline (Carl) Geis.
A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday, July 23, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, July 24, at 10:30 a.m. at the church with committal at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Nelson family.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
