Helen Ann Gerber

Helen A. (Oswald) Gerber, 89 of Hastings, Nebraska and a longtime Chappell resident died Sunday noon, November 16, 2014 at Perkins Pavilion in Hastings.



Funeral services will be held Monday, November 24th at 2:00 pm at the Hastings Evangelical Free Church. There will be a private family burial at the Chappell Mennonite Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings in in charge of the arrangements.



A Memorial has been established for the Mennonite Disaster Service



Helen was born October 15, in Martin, South Dakota, to Aaron C. and Mattie (Bellar) Oswald. She graduated from Deuel County High School in 1944.



Helen worked at Oswald Produce until she married Earl Gerber on March 28, 1948. They made their home in Chappell where and raised their four children: Susanne, Patricia, Carole, and Terry. Helen was a stay-at-home-mom. When her children were older, she returned to work part time for John Pace in the Deuel County Treasurers Office. Later she worked at Cabelas in Sidney (1967-1973), and as the Deputy County Clerk from 1973 until she retired in 1991.



She enjoyed her front porch on Third Street, a place to sit, drink coffee and read the morning paper. She baked and shared cinnamon rolls and cookies, delivering plates to many friends at Christmas. She tied quilts with the church ladies group and was a member of the Heritage Society, participating in the Christmas tree displays. She faithfully attended a Wednesday morning Bible Study and Prayer group.



Helen is survived by her children: Susanne (Don) Smith, Cochrane, WI; Pat (Ben) Gerber-Pauls, Waldheim, SK; Carole (Ron) Denlinger, Elkhart, IN; and Terry (Becky) Gerber, Hastings, NE. Grandchildren include: Sarah (Jesse) Culbertson, Ethan Smith, Allison Pauls de Staczewski (Jose Augusto), Matthew (Laura) Pauls, Lorianne Pauls and fianc Ethan Heidebrecht, Rachel Denlinger, Aaron Denlinger; Jacob (Allison) Gerber, and Anthony (Stacy) Gerber. Great grandchildren Maeve & Scarlet Culbertson, Evelyn & Zachariah Gerber, Landon and Alexandria Gerber; one sister, Kathryn (Werner) Hildebrand, Copperopolis, CA



Helen was preceded in death by her husband Earl Gerber; her parents; and siblings Warren Oswald, Mary Oswald, and Robert Oswald.