Helen Louise Carlson, age 93, of North Platte, passed away on January 31, 2014 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE. She was a devoted mother, loving grandmother, and dedicated teacher. Helen was born on November 10, 1920 in Fremont, NE. to parents Anna Christine (Kronberg) and Vern Alvin Hanthorne. Her family moved many times and finely settled in Omaha, NE. After graduating from high school in Kennard, NE, Helen attended Dana College in Blair, NE for one year and began teaching at country schools in Washington County in 1942. She later enrolled at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and eventually graduated from Dana College with a bachelor’s degree in education. Several years later she graduated with a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from University of Nebraska at Kearney, NE. Altogether Helen taught in country schools and in North Platte for 38 years, twenty-five of those being in North Platte Public Schools, third grade. I She was active in many organizations in North Platte. Helen volunteered for the American Red Cross, Buffalo Bill Museum, and visited nursing homes with her church group. She was a member of First Lutheran Church for 49 years. She was a lifetime PTA member, and passed presidents of Retired Teachers, AAUW, and LCW. She was a talented artist and enjoyed membership in Platter Painters where she won numerous art awards and held a one-man art show at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. One of her paintings was chosen to hang in the Governor's mansion for a month. In 1949, Helen was united in marriage to Stanley Fred Carlson. To this union one child was born, Carolyn. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (Stu) Simmons of Brady, NE; three grandchildren, Tiffany (Billy) Anderson of Gilbert, AZ, Samantha (Anjan) Simmons-Pahadi of ST. Charles, IL, and Wendy (Scott) Bartels of Gothenburg, NE; nine great grandchildren; one great- great grandchild; two sisters, Barbara Voss, Washington, MO and Gladys Martin of Honolulu, HI, plus numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; two sisters in-law; and a brother, Lloyd Hanthorne, age three; two sisters, Hazel Poirrier and Maxine Camden. A memorial has been established at the North Platte Public Schools Foundation to be used for scholarship monies for future elementary teachers. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

There will be a celebration of Helen's life 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2014 at the United Methodist in Gothenburg, NE with the Rev. Dr. Jeff Thurman officiating. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Register book signing will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, 421 W. 4th. St, North Platte, NE 69101 308-532-2044 (Internet)