Helen A. (Kurpjuweit) Sherman

Helen A. Sherman, age 94 years and seven months passed away November 28, 2022, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth, NE. She was born on April 29, 1928, at Ainsworth to Emil and Marjorie (Baker) Kurpjuweit. She was the second of two daughters.
She spent her childhood years with her parents in the Mabelo community north of Ainsworth and graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1945. She married her life partner Howard E. Sherman on September 26, 1946. To this marriage five children were born: Dorothy, Betty, Mary, Donna and David. They lived in the Mabelo area until moving to the family ranch on Plum Creek (Johnstown, NE) in 1964.
Helen was the typical farm/ranch wife and mother. She could do it all. Milking, calving, driving trucks, taking care of chickens, and doing all kinds of chores; along with raising and taking care of her family.
In the mid-70's she began cooking at the Johnstown School House. She took great pride in making home cooked meals for the many kids there for 21 years. After selling the cows in the early 80's, Howard & Helen began taking trips west to the mountains, to go camping with Helen's sister Margaret, in the Big Horns and Howard's sister, Marie in Idaho. The old black Ford and topper was as good as any air stream you could wish for. They truly enjoyed the many people they met along the way and maintained friendships with some of the other campers.
After Howard's passing in 2002, Helen moved to the Park Homes in Ainsworth in the fall of 2003. She continued her passion for sewing and making quilts for family and friends. Helen made many afghans that were sent on the Orphan Grain Train. She was a gifted and self-taught artist, she loved to watch Bob Ross. She passed many paintings to her family and friends. Helen enjoyed knitting lace tablecloths and doilies, with several going on to the Nebraska State Fair. Many of her completed projects were passed to her kids and grandchildren, along with friends.
As the years progressed, she moved to the Cottonwood Villa and on to the Sandhills Care Center, until the time of her death.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; parents, Marjorie & Emil Kurpjuweit; sister, Margaret McKinney and father and mother-in-law, Harry and Mabel Sherman. She is survived by her five children, Dorothy Mook of Ainsworth, Betty (Jimm) Johnson of Rose, NE, Mary Jo McCall of Johnstown, Donna (Dennis) Jones of Meadville, NE and David (Ronda) Sherman of Johnstown; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, along with nieces & nephews; a brother-in-law, Don Sherman of O'Neill, NE and sisters-in-law, Marie Keim of Ainsworth and Betty Sherman of Brule, NE.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ainsworth, officiated by Pastor Lynn Christensen. Georgia Williams played for the services with the congregation singing “Amazing Grace” and “Jerusalem, My Happy Home.” Casket Bearers were: James McCall, Billy McCall, Derek Sherman, Tyler Sherman, Carey Nelson, Jake Johnson, Lacy Holeman and Angie Mook. Interment followed in the East Woodlawn Cemetery at Johnstown. Memorials were suggested to be made to the Sandhills Care Center or the East Woodlawn Cemetery in her name. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be left for the family at: www.hochfuneralhome.com .

An Angel
An angel lived among us,
A gift from God above,
She showered us with kindness
And shared with us her love.
She cherished every moment
With the man who was her life.
Walking hand in hand together,
Facing life with all its strife.
She loved her children dearly,
Each one a different way,
Nestled close within her heart.
Though, now, she’s far away.
She’s gone to live with Jesus.
But, she’s here with us, today.
Smiling down on every one of us,
And telling us she’s O.K.