Helen Marie Hansen

Helen Marie Hansen age 88 of Coleridge, Nebraska died on Friday, September 17, 2021 at her residence. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Coleridge with Rev. Russ Lambert and Rev. Deb Valentine officiating.  Burial will be at Lawn Ridge Cemetery in Coleridge.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, at church, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Coleridge. Pallbearers will be Curt Hansen, Kevin Hansen, Robert Patefield, Danny Patefield, Dave Hansen, and Randy Lemke. Helen Marie was born on January 22, 1933 at Wausa, Nebraska to Svend and Hertha Marie (Larson) Kastrup.  Helen was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith.  At an early age the family moved to Dixon and then to Newcastle where she attended Elementary school.  She attended Laurel Public School in the 8^th grade and High School at Coleridge Public School, graduating in 1950.  Helen received her teaching certificate from Wayne State College in 1951.  She taught in Cedar and Dixon County rural schools. She married her best friend Rodney Walter Hansen from Allen, Nebraska on June 23, 1952 at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Laurel, Nebraska.  After Rodney was discharged from the Army, they farmed together around the Coleridge area.  In 2015 they retired and moved into Coleridge.  In her youth she was a 4-H Leader.  She also was a member of the Willing Workers Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Helen had a strong faith in the Lord which led her to be very active with volunteer work at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  She loved to teach Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and Junior Lutherans.  She served as an officer for many years in the ILCW Unit and Peace Circle.  People all over the world are enjoying quilts that she has made, which she had donated through LWR and the Orphan Grain Train.  She has made a special quilt for all of her family.  She received the Volunteer of the Year Award for leading Bible Study at the Embers and Park View Haven N.H.  Helen had a green thumb and enjoyed growing a large vegetable garden and had many beautiful flower beds.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially teasing her grandkids and great grandkids. Helen is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Dallas) Graham of Belden, NE; grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister Joyce Goldston of Fremont, NE; sisters-in-law Arlene Patefield of Coleridge, Patricia Hansen of Del Rapids, SD. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rodney on August 28, 2015 at the age of 84; sons Anthony in infancy, Walter, and Alan; mother and father-in-law Walter and Ruth (Anderson) Hansen; a brother Kenneth (Alice) Kastrup; sisters Alice Irene (Gordon) Starks, Ida (La Verne) James, Betty Lue Kastrup; brothers-in-law James Goldston, Milo Patefield, Maynard Hansen, Kenneth (Mary) Hansen; sisters-in-law Bernita Meyer (Dick Houfek), and Vivian (Leland) Lemke.