Helen N. Brittin

Helen Natalie Brittin, 91, of Grand Island, Nebraska, peacefully left this earth surrounded by her loving family and friends at CHI St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 7:23 a.m. after a courageous struggle with major illnesses.



Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2103 West Anna Street, Grand Island, with the Rev. Caroline Price-Gibson officiating. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium followed by a luncheon at the church.



Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 30, at the Reynolds-Martin Chapel, at First Presbyterian Church. Please use the most westerly Anna Street entrance.



Mrs. Brittin was born May 12, 1926, in Grand Island, the daughter of J.C. and Agnes (Haney) Semm.



Her son, Don R. Brittin, is the sole survivor of the immediate family. Also, left to cherish her memory are many nieces and nephews and countless friends.



She was preceded in death by her spouse, Glenn Robert Brittin (1965) and four brothersEugene, John, Charles, and Gary Semm, and one sister, Irene Weiss.

Helen united with the First Presbyterian Church June 5, 1949, and was one of the longest active members of the faith community. She served as a church school teacher in the primary department for many years, and was faithful in worship and the Womens Evening Fellowship until its disbandment.



As a young child, she was quarantined with her family in her home for many months. Consequently, her elementary education was delayed. Helen was a 1945 mid-term graduate of Grand Island Senior High School, having excelled in the sciences and mathematics with the intention of entering the St. Francis School of Nursing. At that time the nation was in conflict, and finances were limited; therefore, to fund higher education she found employment with the district office of the International Harvester Co. in the accounting department.



Helen was united in marriage to the love of her life, Glenn Robert Brittin, on May 1, 1949, at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. Alton O. Kaul. To that union, a son, Don Robert, was born. He required special and complex medical care, and so Helen became a homemaker and caretaker extraordinaire. The couple had been married for 16 years when Glenn succumbed to a sudden death from a heart attack.



One year before her spouses death, she started employment with the city of Grand Island as the secretary to the airport manager. She then sought full-time employment as the secretary in the Safety and Security Division of Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason, Inc. After the firms closure, she became the administrative assistant of Krause, Inc. and Midland Engineering, until she retired at the age 80. During that time she enjoyed bicycling to the office and for pleasure.



Helen was an active member of First Presbyterian Church; PEO Sisterhood, Chapter EZ; Andrew Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; St. Davids Welsh Society of Nebraska; and the Grand Island Concert Association. An avid bridge player, Helen was a member of several clubs, always enjoying a good game with friends. She enjoyed cheering-on the Huskers and was a spirited member of the Harrington Husker Fan Club.



Helen was an excellent cook, baker, and entertainment artist, best known for her delectable German chocolate and sour cream lemon cakes, pastries and Welsh tea cakes. Without question, her greatest pleasure was supporting her beloved son Dons religious, humanitarian, educational and musical initiatives, always found behind the scenes ensuring their success.



Helen had a deep devotion, appreciation and love of family and friends. This was evident in her desire to secure the welfare of others, especially her son, Don.



Don wishes to express his gratitude to the physicians and health care professionals of the Mayo Clinic and those in Lincoln and Grand Island. The last trek to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, was No. 90. A heartfelt thank you also goes to family and friends who tenderly and lovingly cared for her, always recognizing that they enriched her life.



May all who knew Helens love and grace continue to create in others those tenets of generosity, thoughtfulness, inclusiveness and love in our seemingly fractured world.



What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains an is immortal. Albert Pike



In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church Pipe Organ Restoration Fund or to the donors charitable choice.