Helen Bohling

Helen Emma Bertha (Bergmann) Bohling, one of six children of Henry Conradt and Anna Adelhite (Rippe) Bergmann, was born January 21, 1917 in rural Nemaha County, Nebraska. She was baptized in her parents? home February 16, 1917 and confirmed March 29, 1931 at St. Paul Lutheran (Hickory Grove) Church near Auburn, Nebraska. Both events were presided over by Rev. Theodore Streng, Sr. Helen attended rural school near her home.

On May 25, 1939 Helen was united in marriage to Elmer W. Bohling at Hickory Grove Church. They were blessed with two daughters, Jeannette and Karen. The couple made their first home in Auburn.

From Auburn Helen and Elmer moved to Bellevue, Nebraska, where they both held jobs at the ordinance plant. After a move to Oregon, the family returned to Nemaha County and lived in Johnson. Helen and Elmer owned and operated Bolhing?s Grocery in Johnson for 20 years. They moved to Grand Island, Nebraska to work in the defense plant there for nine years, and then ran an A&W in Sabetha, Kansas for eight years. In 1980 the couple retired and moved back to Auburn to live out their lives.

Helen was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran (Hickory Grove) Church, where she was a member of the Women of the Church, Ruth Naomi Circle, and enjoyed sewing with other women in the church. Helen also served for many years as a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. In her spare time she enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens. Helen also belonged to a card club, and loved to play cards whenever she could.

Following the discovery that she was suffering from Leukemia, and a short stay at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn, Helen passed away at Good Sam on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 17 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Elmer in 1999, and brothers Martin and Ed.

Helen is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Jeannette and Herman Stutheit of Auburn; Karen and Paul Dunekacke of Fairbury; grandchildren Curtis (Cathy) Stutheit; Kelly (Alan) Rippe; Jenny (Lee) Moerer; Jeffrey (Cynthia) Dunekacke; Michael (Erin) Dunekacke; great-grandchildren Brittany and husband Jonathan, Camden, Blake, Maura, Chrystine, Alyssa, Morgan, Melanie, Luke, Gus, Ty, Cora; sisters Arlene Schuette of Johnson; Elnora Lunzmann of Ida Grove, IA; brother Harvey and wife Della Bergmann of Auburn; sisters-in-law LaVerda Bergmann of Auburn; Beverly Shaw of Columbia, SD; Lillian Pratt of Nixa, MO; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, July 12, 2010 at St. Paul Lutheran (Hickory Grove) Church near Auburn, Pastor Paul Lillenas officiating. Deanne Gerking was organist for a solo by Allyn Remmers and congregational singing. Pallbearers were Curtis Stutheit, Alan Rippe, Lee Moerer, Jeff Dunekacke, and Mike Dunekacke. Kelly Rippe, Jenny Moerer, Cathy Stutheit, Cynthia Dunekacke, and Erin Dunekacke served as flower attendants. Harvey Bergmann and Karl Fischer were honorary pallbearers. Burial was in the church cemetery.