Helen Parker

Hastings resident, Helen R. Parker, 95, passed away Friday, April 4, 2014 at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, Nebraska.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in the Exeter Cemetery, Exeter, Nebraska. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Helen was born December 22, 1918, in Clarinda, Iowa, to Marie (Pontious) and Homer D. Williams. The family moved to Pawnee City, Nebraska in 1927. She graduated from Pawnee High School in 1936. The following year, she entered and won the Miss Pawnee City Pageant. She was then sent to the Nebraska State Fair where she was named one of the top ten most beautiful girls of the State of Nebraska.

On September 17, 1939, she married Theron J. (T.J.) Parker. They had three sons, Stephen R., Phillip J., and Mark D. The family spent quite a few years in Peru, Nebraska, where her husband was the depot agent for the Burlington Railroad and Helen worked at the Bobcat Diner on the Peru State College campus. During the summer of 1965, they moved to Exeter, Nebraska, where T.J. was the agent for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad from the Exeter Depot.

Helen was a long time member of the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing bridge, pinochle, and spending time with family and friends. She especially loved having her brothers and their families over for great Thanksgiving dinners.

In 1995 Helen decided to move to Good Samaritan Village in Hastings, where she enjoyed doing volunteer work at the Bargain Center. She also enjoyed playing in the hand bell choir at the village, playing Dominos, Bingo, and attending the many activities the Village had to offer.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother H.D. Williams Jr. , and his wife Lila, of Red Oak, Iowa, and brother Harold Williams, of Seward, Nebraska.

Survivors include:
Sons & Daughters-in-law:
Stephen & Angie Parker - Fayetteville, AK
Phillip & Brigitte Parker - Hastings, NE
Mark & Theresa Parker - Lincoln, NE
Granddaughters & Spouses:
Shelly & Ryan Fendly - Peoria, AZ
Amy & Bob Huffman - Phoenix, AZ
Dominique Parker - Kearney, NE
Amanda & Andres Johnson - Lincoln, NE
Great Grandchildren:
Matthew Huffman
Makena Huffman
Jayden Johnson
Rylan Johnson
Sister-in-law:
Emmy Lou Williams - Seward, NE
Nieces & Nephews:
Children of brother H.D. & Lila Williams:
Connie & Murray Smith
Michael & Mary Williams
John & Kathy Williams
Children of brother Harold & Emmy Lou Williams:
Jon & Lori Williams
Todd & Cheryl Williams
Janet Dobrusky