| Helen Katherina (Ehlers) Soll was born May 27, 1934 in Bennington, Nebraska to John and Bertha (Wrigg) Ehlers. Helen grew up in Irvington and Bennington, Nebraska, as well as the Omaha/Benson area, where she graduated from Underwood High School as the class Valedictorian in 1952. Following high school, Helen attended Wayne State College for two years, earning her teaching certificate. As a young girl, Helen enjoyed being involved in school activities, such as: band, volleyball, and track.
Helen married Harvey Soll on August 20, 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Benson, Nebraska, and to this union, two sons were born: H. Gene and Ricky J. Harvey and Helen have made their home in Valley, Nebraska for their whole married life.
Helen taught for many years in rural Washington County and Douglas County. She was also highly active in her church and many other local civic groups. Helen worked for the election board for 38 years, was a 4-H leader, member of the Valley Historical Society, Friends of the Valley Library, the Extension Club, Ladies Faith Circle at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, and even started and coordinated the quilters guild at St. Mark’s Lutheran from 2004-2014.
Helen loved gardening, even at age 80, she was still planting and tending to 100 tomato plants. She was always baking various things and sharing them with family, friends and neighbors. But most of all, Helen cherished her family. She will be remembered as a loving, caring, hard-working woman, who was a great cook, and was always teaching. Her greatest enjoyment came from serving others, and she always displayed her determination to “keep going”, even when she didn’t feel well.
Helen passed away on Monday, November 16, 2015 at Golden Living Center-Valhaven in Valley, Nebraska at the age of 81 years, 5 months, and 20 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Eggert Ehlers, and sister, Luella Roberts-Parson. Helen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Harvey of Valley, sons: Gene and wife Jeri of Arlington, NE and Ricky of Omaha; 5 grandchildren: Brad Soll, Katie (Brandon) Banks, Rebecca (Eric) Miller, Melinda (Logan) Keene, and Erik (Calli) Soll; 6 great grandchildren: Maddie, Braxton and Tyson Soll, Abigail and Emilia Banks, and Brylee Miller; and brother John Ehlers of Fremont, Nebraska.
Omaha World Herald 22 Nov 2015
Helen K. Soll, age 81, of Valley, NE, died 11-16-15. Preceded in death by parents, one brother and one sister. Survived by husband Harvey of Valley, sons; Gene and wife Jeri of Arlington, NE and Ricky of Omaha, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and brother John Ehlers of Fremont, NE.
Funeral service Wednesday, 11/25, 11 AM, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Valley. Interment German Cemetery, rural Bennington. Visitation Tuesday from Noon to 8 PM with family receiving friends from 6-8 PM at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Memorials to the church, American Kidney Foundation, or Valley Fire and Rescue Squad. |
