| Helen E. Greenwalt |

Helen E. Greenwalt, 87, of St. Libory, died unexpectedly on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Reverend Sidney B. Bruggeman celebrated the Mass.

Dave Boehle was the lector. Michelle Gydesen and Jeremy Grotzky were the gift bearers.

Jeanne Allen was the soloist and Barb Klein was the pianist.

Musical selections included “Grace and Peace,” “Lead Me, Lord,” “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Scars in Heaven” by Casting Crowns.

Rod Wichmann, Brad Wichmann, Darren Wichmann, Shane Freeman, Steve Grim, and Bill Fries were the casketbearers.

Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Helen was born on January 6, 1937, near St. Libory, the daughter of Henry B. and Marie M. (Suehlsen) Volkl. She attended country schools in the St. Libory area and later Grand Island Senior High School, where she was a 1956 graduate.

After graduating from high school, Helen worked as a telephone operator in Grand Island.

Helen was united in marriage to Eugene L. Greenwalt on February 8, 1958 at St. Libory.

The couple first lived in Grand Island, where Gene and his brother, Lyle, operated the Skelly Gas Station at Seventh and Eddy streets for several years and later farmed together in the Cairo and Farwell areas.

In 1963, Helen and Gene moved onto the Greenwalt homestead, where they farmed and operated a dairy until the mid-1980s. Gene died on February 11, 2017, and Helen continued to live on the farm the rest of her life.

The Phonograph-Herald | December 11, 2024

Helen was a member of St. Libory’s Catholic Church, its CCW, and was a religious education teacher. She was a longtime leader of the St. Libory Sandhillers 4-H Club; she belonged to the Cleveland Social Club and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 241 of Dannebrog.

She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, traveling with Gene, visiting with family and friends, golfing, and loved her grandchildren dearly.

Helen is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Tony Grotzky of Grand Island, Janet and Clark Ritz of St. Libory, and Susan and Jerry Milner of Grand Island; eight grandchildren, Jeremy and Raelynn Grotzky, Michelle and Larry Gydesen, Rachel and Jon Wade, Brandon and Jessica Grotzky, Kelsey and John Jaeschke, Jordan Ritz, Rhett Milner, and Mollie Milner; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Gene, she was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Leo Volkl and Paul Volkl.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Helen’s family by visiting www.petersfuneralhome. net.