Helen "Lowrey" L. Stearley

Helen L. Stearley, 78 of Grand Island, died Tuesday, January 09, 2018 at Wedgewood Care Center, Grand Island. Family and friends lost a gentle soul this week when Helen went to be with her Lord.

Services will be 10:30 Monday, January 15, 2018 at Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island with the Rev. Mike Reiners officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island Cemetery. Visitation hours will be 4-7 p.m., Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Helen Louise Stearley was born August 1, 1939 in Great Falls, Montana, the daughter of Robert Stevens & Rose Mae (Lowrey) Donahue. She grew up and received her education in Dutton, Montana.

She was united in marriage to Karl Miller, September 8, 1956 in Helena, Montana. While married to Karl and living in Montana, she worked various jobs as well as raising a family. She was a cook and worked at Glasgow Air Force Base. She enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling. Karl preceded her in death, February 10, 1978. She later married Wayne Stearley, August 12, 1978 in Glasgow, Montana. The couple made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska. She loved to drive and was employed as a pilot driver flagging mobile homes. She also worked a short time as an assistant manager for an apartment building and the YWCA for the last 17 years, where she loved rocking babies. Wayne preceded her in death, July 28, 2001.

She loved all animals which included raising Pugs, (Sarge was her favorite.) Helen would help anybody she could. She was described by a fellow tenant, as someone who had a rough life but came through it like a soldier with a heart of gold. The love of her life was when she became Grandma Helen with the Foster Grandparents Program. She always had a huge smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye when she talked about Her Kids.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and the womens circle at the church.

Those left to cherish her memory include a daughter, Debra Parker of Grand Island, three sons & daughters-in-law, Charles & Christine Miller of Lincoln, Ronnie & Rowena Miller & Gary Stearley both of Grand Island, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, sister, Marie Thomas of Dupuyer, Montana, three step daughters, Susan Hunter of Omaha, NE., Peggy Felton of Omaha, NE., Brenda LaCoste, Madison, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert S. & Rose M. Donahue, daughter, Wanda Miller, son-in-law, Robert Parker, brother-in-law, Mearlin Thomas, step daughters, Cheryl Thompson, Carol Moeller, two brothers, one sister.