Helen R. Stanley

Helen Ruth Stanley, 96 of Big Springs, passed away in Grant, NE on December 14, 2018. She was born December 5th, 1922 on the family farm near Clarkson, NE to Henry and Louise (Keuhner) Hefti. She was baptized May 6th, 1923 in Leigh (St. John's) and confirmed in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leigh, NE on June 6, 1937.

Helen graduated from Leigh High School in 1941. She graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, NE in 1944. She was an R.N. at the Lewellen Hospital from 1944-46, where she met John Loren Stanley. They were married January 6, 1945 in Camp Campbell, KY, a military base. She had four children. Gregory Leigh in 1947, John R. "Butch" in 1949, Jane Louise Benzel in 1951, and Betty Ann Seim in 1961.

Helen dedicated her time as homemaker after her children were born. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church of Big Springs. She taught Sunday school, Saturday school and VBS classes. She was actively involved in Lutheran Womens Missionary League and as a member held offices, and served the altar committee for many years, helping out anyway she could with church. She belonged to the Neighboretts (War Wives) and crocheting clubs. She served on the Chappell Hospital board.

Helen helped John farm and ranch north of Big Springs all their married life. They went to Apache Junction, AZ during the winter for thirteen years. They took trips to Hawaii and the Holy Land. Helen made many quilts and crocheted for the family.

Helen is survived by her son, John R. "Butch" (Laura); daughters, Jane L. Benzel of Hot Springs, SD and Betty A. Seim (Robyn) of Chapman, NE; fourteen grandchildren and their eight spouses; and fifteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Darlene Hefti, Doris (Don) Haldeen, and Nancy Stanley; daughters-in-law, Connie Stanley and Ann Stanley; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, Henry and Louise; husband, John L.; son, Gregory L. Stanley; son-in-law, Dale Benzel; sisters, Margaret (Henry) Schneider, Joe Blum, Laverna (Longin) Jedlicka, Dorothy (Sterling) Anderl, and Louise (Martin) Barjenbruch; brother, Henry Hefti; sisters-in-law, Leah Anderson and Patricia Rhoades; brothers-in-law, Welton Stanley, Barry Stanley, Lester Rhoades, and Robert Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Helen's name to St. John's Lutheran Church, PO Box 98, Brule, NE 69127. Condolences can be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

Services will be on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Brule with Pastor Jon Dickmander officiating. Committal will be in the Big Springs Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala, NE is in charge of arrangements.