HOFFERBER, HELEN MAY—Helen May Nichols was born on Feb. 11, 1916 to Edgar William and Lillie M. Nichols on a farm four miles southwest of Fairmont. She passed away on March 14, 2005, at the age of 89 after a brief illness.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar William and Lillie May; brothers, Robert, Howard, Elvin, Jesse, Maury; daughter, Barbara Becker; son, Bob Crawford and wife, Ann; and grandson Danny Becker.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth; sons, Harry Crawford and wife, Lisa; Morry Crawford; John Hofferber and Steve Hofferber; sisters-in-law, Maxine Nichols; Audrey Nichols; Merna Hofferber; Margie Hofferber and Della Hofferber; brother-in-law, Ray Gough; daughter-in-law, Yasuko Crawford; son-in-law, Bob Becker; and Margaret Cullip ; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Helen’s childhood was typical of youngsters of that era. She attended District 18 country school near Fairmont, later graduating from Fairmont High School in 1933. As the only girl in a family with five boys, she learned to look out for herself and developed the sense of humor that lasted throughout her lifetime.
In 1935, she married Harry S. Crawford and began raising her own family. Four children followed, Barbara, Harry, Morry and Bob. After briefly living above the Heisey’s Store on Main Street in Geneva and operating a family grocery store, the family relocated to the Baltimore, Md. area, where they lived until the late 1940’s.
Returning to Geneva with her children, Helen began her career with the Fillmore County Treasurer’s office, a job she would hold off and on, between raising her family, until her retirement in the mid 1970’s.
On Dec. 4, 1952, Helen married Kenneth Raymond Hofferber of Geneva in Concordia, Kan. Two more sons, John and Steve, were added to the family over the next few years. After spending several years farming in the Fairmont area, Kenneth and Helen moved to a farm near Shickley, where they remained until moving back to Geneva in the summer of 1975.
Her retirement years were filled with things she loved doing—traveling, maintaining a home for her children and grandchildren to visit, playing cards and as other activities became more challenging, hours and hours of reading. She especially enjoyed planning and attending parties celebrating major events in her life—her husband’s retirement party, her own 80th birthday party, and especially, she and Kenneth’s 50th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated with the family and friends in 2002.
At the time of her death, she was beginning to make plans for her husband’s 80th birthday celebration.
Helen’s life was filled with many activities. She enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Kansas City, Illinois, Texas and Colorado to visit family members. She and Kenny also shared several bus trips with old and new friends.
She was active in many church organizations and activities, having been a member of both the Geneva and Shickley Methodist Churches during her adult years.
She enjoyed playing cards; she was a member of several bridge clubs, played pitch and pinochle with friends and looked forward to competitive games of “Hearts” when her family would come to visit. And, of course, she was a faithful fan of the Cornhuskers, always donning a Nebraska sweatshirt on game days.
When physical activities became more difficult, she was able to continue enjoying her love of reading, keeping the library staff busy finding new books for her to enjoy. She looked forward to visits and phone calls from her family and spending time reminiscing about her long life and the many good times she had enjoyed living in Fillmore county.
Funeral services were conducted from the United Methodist Church in Geneva on Thursday, March 17, with the Rev. Pat Kelley officiating.
Pallbearers were Charles Nichols, Dick Nichols, Fred Lees, Julie Gades, Jim Lane, Kurt Hofferber, Danny Hofferber, Bill Becker, Tom Becker, Chris Becker, Kelly Winnik and Sherri Jeffrey.
Interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery.
The Nebraska Signal March 23rd, 2005 page 11
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar William and Lillie May; brothers, Robert, Howard, Elvin, Jesse, Maury; daughter, Barbara Becker; son, Bob Crawford and wife, Ann; and grandson Danny Becker.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth; sons, Harry Crawford and wife, Lisa; Morry Crawford; John Hofferber and Steve Hofferber; sisters-in-law, Maxine Nichols; Audrey Nichols; Merna Hofferber; Margie Hofferber and Della Hofferber; brother-in-law, Ray Gough; daughter-in-law, Yasuko Crawford; son-in-law, Bob Becker; and Margaret Cullip ; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Helen’s childhood was typical of youngsters of that era. She attended District 18 country school near Fairmont, later graduating from Fairmont High School in 1933. As the only girl in a family with five boys, she learned to look out for herself and developed the sense of humor that lasted throughout her lifetime.
In 1935, she married Harry S. Crawford and began raising her own family. Four children followed, Barbara, Harry, Morry and Bob. After briefly living above the Heisey’s Store on Main Street in Geneva and operating a family grocery store, the family relocated to the Baltimore, Md. area, where they lived until the late 1940’s.
Returning to Geneva with her children, Helen began her career with the Fillmore County Treasurer’s office, a job she would hold off and on, between raising her family, until her retirement in the mid 1970’s.
On Dec. 4, 1952, Helen married Kenneth Raymond Hofferber of Geneva in Concordia, Kan. Two more sons, John and Steve, were added to the family over the next few years. After spending several years farming in the Fairmont area, Kenneth and Helen moved to a farm near Shickley, where they remained until moving back to Geneva in the summer of 1975.
Her retirement years were filled with things she loved doing—traveling, maintaining a home for her children and grandchildren to visit, playing cards and as other activities became more challenging, hours and hours of reading. She especially enjoyed planning and attending parties celebrating major events in her life—her husband’s retirement party, her own 80th birthday party, and especially, she and Kenneth’s 50th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated with the family and friends in 2002.
At the time of her death, she was beginning to make plans for her husband’s 80th birthday celebration.
Helen’s life was filled with many activities. She enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Kansas City, Illinois, Texas and Colorado to visit family members. She and Kenny also shared several bus trips with old and new friends.
She was active in many church organizations and activities, having been a member of both the Geneva and Shickley Methodist Churches during her adult years.
She enjoyed playing cards; she was a member of several bridge clubs, played pitch and pinochle with friends and looked forward to competitive games of “Hearts” when her family would come to visit. And, of course, she was a faithful fan of the Cornhuskers, always donning a Nebraska sweatshirt on game days.
When physical activities became more difficult, she was able to continue enjoying her love of reading, keeping the library staff busy finding new books for her to enjoy. She looked forward to visits and phone calls from her family and spending time reminiscing about her long life and the many good times she had enjoyed living in Fillmore county.
Funeral services were conducted from the United Methodist Church in Geneva on Thursday, March 17, with the Rev. Pat Kelley officiating.
Pallbearers were Charles Nichols, Dick Nichols, Fred Lees, Julie Gades, Jim Lane, Kurt Hofferber, Danny Hofferber, Bill Becker, Tom Becker, Chris Becker, Kelly Winnik and Sherri Jeffrey.
Interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery.
The Nebraska Signal March 23rd, 2005 page 11
HOFFERBER, HELEN MAY—Helen May Nichols was born on Feb. 11, 1916 to Edgar William and Lillie M. Nichols on a farm four miles southwest of Fairmont. She passed away on March 14, 2005, at the age of 89 after a brief illness.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar William and Lillie May; brothers, Robert, Howard, Elvin, Jesse, Maury; daughter, Barbara Becker; son, Bob Crawford and wife, Ann; and grandson Danny Becker.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth; sons, Harry Crawford and wife, Lisa; Morry Crawford; John Hofferber and Steve Hofferber; sisters-in-law, Maxine Nichols; Audrey Nichols; Merna Hofferber; Margie Hofferber and Della Hofferber; brother-in-law, Ray Gough; daughter-in-law, Yasuko Crawford; son-in-law, Bob Becker; and Margaret Cullip ; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Helen’s childhood was typical of youngsters of that era. She attended District 18 country school near Fairmont, later graduating from Fairmont High School in 1933. As the only girl in a family with five boys, she learned to look out for herself and developed the sense of humor that lasted throughout her lifetime.
In 1935, she married Harry S. Crawford and began raising her own family. Four children followed, Barbara, Harry, Morry and Bob. After briefly living above the Heisey’s Store on Main Street in Geneva and operating a family grocery store, the family relocated to the Baltimore, Md. area, where they lived until the late 1940’s.
Returning to Geneva with her children, Helen began her career with the Fillmore County Treasurer’s office, a job she would hold off and on, between raising her family, until her retirement in the mid 1970’s.
On Dec. 4, 1952, Helen married Kenneth Raymond Hofferber of Geneva in Concordia, Kan. Two more sons, John and Steve, were added to the family over the next few years. After spending several years farming in the Fairmont area, Kenneth and Helen moved to a farm near Shickley, where they remained until moving back to Geneva in the summer of 1975.
Her retirement years were filled with things she loved doing—traveling, maintaining a home for her children and grandchildren to visit, playing cards and as other activities became more challenging, hours and hours of reading. She especially enjoyed planning and attending parties celebrating major events in her life—her husband’s retirement party, her own 80th birthday party, and especially, she and Kenneth’s 50th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated with the family and friends in 2002.
At the time of her death, she was beginning to make plans for her husband’s 80th birthday celebration.
Helen’s life was filled with many activities. She enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Kansas City, Illinois, Texas and Colorado to visit family members. She and Kenny also shared several bus trips with old and new friends.
She was active in many church organizations and activities, having been a member of both the Geneva and Shickley Methodist Churches during her adult years.
She enjoyed playing cards; she was a member of several bridge clubs, played pitch and pinochle with friends and looked forward to competitive games of “Hearts” when her family would come to visit. And, of course, she was a faithful fan of the Cornhuskers, always donning a Nebraska sweatshirt on game days.
When physical activities became more difficult, she was able to continue enjoying her love of reading, keeping the library staff busy finding new books for her to enjoy. She looked forward to visits and phone calls from her family and spending time reminiscing about her long life and the many good times she had enjoyed living in Fillmore county.
Funeral services were conducted from the United Methodist Church in Geneva on Thursday, March 17, with the Rev. Pat Kelley officiating.
Pallbearers were Charles Nichols, Dick Nichols, Fred Lees, Julie Gades, Jim Lane, Kurt Hofferber, Danny Hofferber, Bill Becker, Tom Becker, Chris Becker, Kelly Winnik and Sherri Jeffrey.
Interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery.
The Nebraska Signal March 23rd, 2005 page 11
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar William and Lillie May; brothers, Robert, Howard, Elvin, Jesse, Maury; daughter, Barbara Becker; son, Bob Crawford and wife, Ann; and grandson Danny Becker.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth; sons, Harry Crawford and wife, Lisa; Morry Crawford; John Hofferber and Steve Hofferber; sisters-in-law, Maxine Nichols; Audrey Nichols; Merna Hofferber; Margie Hofferber and Della Hofferber; brother-in-law, Ray Gough; daughter-in-law, Yasuko Crawford; son-in-law, Bob Becker; and Margaret Cullip ; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Helen’s childhood was typical of youngsters of that era. She attended District 18 country school near Fairmont, later graduating from Fairmont High School in 1933. As the only girl in a family with five boys, she learned to look out for herself and developed the sense of humor that lasted throughout her lifetime.
In 1935, she married Harry S. Crawford and began raising her own family. Four children followed, Barbara, Harry, Morry and Bob. After briefly living above the Heisey’s Store on Main Street in Geneva and operating a family grocery store, the family relocated to the Baltimore, Md. area, where they lived until the late 1940’s.
Returning to Geneva with her children, Helen began her career with the Fillmore County Treasurer’s office, a job she would hold off and on, between raising her family, until her retirement in the mid 1970’s.
On Dec. 4, 1952, Helen married Kenneth Raymond Hofferber of Geneva in Concordia, Kan. Two more sons, John and Steve, were added to the family over the next few years. After spending several years farming in the Fairmont area, Kenneth and Helen moved to a farm near Shickley, where they remained until moving back to Geneva in the summer of 1975.
Her retirement years were filled with things she loved doing—traveling, maintaining a home for her children and grandchildren to visit, playing cards and as other activities became more challenging, hours and hours of reading. She especially enjoyed planning and attending parties celebrating major events in her life—her husband’s retirement party, her own 80th birthday party, and especially, she and Kenneth’s 50th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated with the family and friends in 2002.
At the time of her death, she was beginning to make plans for her husband’s 80th birthday celebration.
Helen’s life was filled with many activities. She enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Kansas City, Illinois, Texas and Colorado to visit family members. She and Kenny also shared several bus trips with old and new friends.
She was active in many church organizations and activities, having been a member of both the Geneva and Shickley Methodist Churches during her adult years.
She enjoyed playing cards; she was a member of several bridge clubs, played pitch and pinochle with friends and looked forward to competitive games of “Hearts” when her family would come to visit. And, of course, she was a faithful fan of the Cornhuskers, always donning a Nebraska sweatshirt on game days.
When physical activities became more difficult, she was able to continue enjoying her love of reading, keeping the library staff busy finding new books for her to enjoy. She looked forward to visits and phone calls from her family and spending time reminiscing about her long life and the many good times she had enjoyed living in Fillmore county.
Funeral services were conducted from the United Methodist Church in Geneva on Thursday, March 17, with the Rev. Pat Kelley officiating.
Pallbearers were Charles Nichols, Dick Nichols, Fred Lees, Julie Gades, Jim Lane, Kurt Hofferber, Danny Hofferber, Bill Becker, Tom Becker, Chris Becker, Kelly Winnik and Sherri Jeffrey.
Interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery.
The Nebraska Signal March 23rd, 2005 page 11
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