Helen A. Tuxhorn

Helen Anna Tuxhorn, one of three children of Edward and Helen (Cichy) Holz, was born September 23, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Catholic schools in Chicago, but was not able to finish high school as she was needed at home to care for her ailing mother and younger siblings.

Helen met Rudolf Tuxhorn, stationed in Chicago, at a church dance for sailors stationed in the city. They were married on December 14, 1944, at her priest’s home. Helen followed Rudy to Panama when his orders sent him there after their marriage. They returned to Chicago to live after Rudy’s discharge. The couple’s first two children, Jim and Joyce, were born in Chicago.

In 1948 Helen and Rudy moved to Auburn, Nebraska to make their home. Their family grew with the birth of four more sons: Jack, Jerry, Rick, and Ronnie.

In addition to raising her own family, Helen provided child care in her home for 55 years, retiring in 2005. She took care of countless children during that time.

Helen belonged to St. Joseph Catholic Church during her years in Auburn, and was active in the church throughout her life. She had also been a member of the Auburn Rescue Squad Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. She liked animals and doing word search puzzles, and always kept her sense of humor. Traveling with her brother Ed was a highlight of her later years.

Throughout all of her activities, family was of utmost importance to Helen. She looked forward to family gatherings and always kept up on family near and far. A niece and nephew from Chicago spent many of their childhood summers at Helen’s home in Auburn.

When she could no longer take care of herself at her home, Helen moved to the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn in July of 2015. It was there she passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016 at the age of 94 years, 7 months, and 2 days. Her parents, husband Rudolf, sons Ronnie and James, brother and sister-in-law Edward and “Tot” Holz, sister and brother-in-law Anna “Babe” and Joseph Vlaming, and grandson Reagan Moss preceded her in death.

Helen is remembered fondly by her children and their spouses Joyce and Larry Matiyow of Council Bluffs, IA; Jack and Janet Tuxhorn of Willis, TX; Jerry and Ramona Tuxhorn of Auburn; Rick and Holly Tuxhorn of Auburn; grandchildren Ben Matiyow, Jason Matiyow, Brent Tuxhorn, Matt Tuxhorn, Nicole Dunn; 11 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A funeral mass was celebrated Friday, April 29, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn, officiated by Father Karl Millis. Music leaders were Barb Billesbach and John Crotty. Caasket bearers were grandchildren Ben Matiyow, Jason Matiyow, Brent Tuxhorn, Matt Tuxhorn, and Nicole Dunn. Honorary bearers were Terry Holz, Joe Vlaming, Daryl Obermeyer, and Bob Engles. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery near Auburn.