Helen Raetz

Helen Jean Raetz, 87, of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, June 15, 2015, at Linden Court in North Platte. Helen was born February 9, 1928, to Nels and Stella Nelson at Columbus, NE where she grew up. Helen graduated from Columbus High School in 1945 then attended Doane College. She graduated from college in 1949 with a BA in Music and Education then taught school in McCook, NE and North Platte. On June 3, 1951, Helen was united in marriage to Albert Henry Raetz at Columbus. They moved to California so Albert could attend optometry school in Los Angeles and Helen continued her teaching career in Santa Monica. In 1953 they settled in North Platte where Albert started his optometry practice and Helen operated the Raggedy Ann and Andy Preschool until 1987 when they retired to the country. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Albert passed away in 2013. Helen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was active in various activities which included the Mission Sewing Group, P.E.O. Chapter AK, Monday Musical, Friday Antique Club and the Heartland Quilt Group. She also enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of the Flat Rock Duplicate Bridge Club and earned her Life Master Duplicate Bridge Certificate. She is survived by her sons, Albert "Bradley" Raetz (life partner, Katherine Casey), of West Palm Beach, FL, and Stanley (Wendi) Raetz, of Lincoln, NE; two grandchildren, Sam and Rex Raetz, of Lincoln; sister-in-law, June Nelson, of Columbus; and other family. Along with her husband, Albert, Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Stella Nelson; brother, Dale Nelson; and two sisters, Pamela Long and Donna Smith. Cremation was chosen. A family graveside service will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Polly Deppen-Williams officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church.