Helen Studley Kimball

H elen S tudley K imball, age 91, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away January 17, 2022.

Helen was born to Lester and Anna Rowson on May 2, 1930, near Herman, NE, during a tornado. When she was 10 years old, the Rowson family moved to Ingham, NE. Helen attended high school at Curtis, graduating in 1947, then came to North Platte. She helped her brother's wife then EH Evans helped her get a job at First National Bank.

Helen met Dale Studley, who was Foreman of Rosedale Ranch. They formed a legacy together when they married in 1951 and bought the Rosedale Ranch from Mr. Evans. Dale took care of the ranch and Helen kept busy raising children, feeding ranch hands, and gardening. When their first child, Alfred, became ill, Helen had to spend time away from the ranch and family to care for him. Alfred passed away from a brain tumor at the age of three.

Helen and Dale were very community oriented and invited everyone over on New Year's to help celebrate the past, welcome the coming year, and of course to watch bowl games. After Dale passed away in 1971, Helen had to step into more roles to keep Rosedale Ranch going and her brother, Charlie, moved back to help her with the ranch. Helen not only did the bookwork, she would get out to check on cows, calving and feeding. She loved working with cows and never complained about having to get up in the middle of the night to check on the cattle with the 4-wheeler. She also enjoyed going to the hills to fix fences and her summers were busy as she loved to bale hay and garden. Helen worked hard and was incredibly determined to keep the legacy of Rosedale Ranch going.

In 1998, Helen married Dick Kimball. She loved her border collies. She loved getting the family together for the holidays and spending time at the family lake cabin. She loved being able to cook for everyone and to care for them in her own way. Helen embraced country life with passion and love. She was a devoted and determined woman.  Helen would also want everyone to have a chocolate chip cookie or slice of cherry pie.

Helen, a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, leaves behind her children, Mark (Donna) Studley, of Speed, KS, and Mary Studley and Dan Studley, of North Platte; daughter-in-law, Deb Studley, of Scott City, KS; grandchildren, Kevin (Jen) Studley, Jennifer Cranford, Melissa (Toby) Williams, Nicole Gruber (fiancé, Colby Pell), Cortney (Matt) Trammell, Tyler Gruber and Caleb Studley; 10 great-grandchildren; and other family.

Helen was preceded in death by her husbands, Dale Studley and Dick Kimball; sons, Alfred and Ronald; great-grandson, Ayden; her parents, Lester and Anna Rowson; sisters, Virginia and Effie; and brothers, Roy, John and Charles.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation was chosen.  Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in the North Platte Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating.

A memorial will be established in memory of Helen Studley Kimball. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.