Helen Marie (Vintean) Garfield

Helen Marie Garfield, 94, of Tecumseh, passed away into the Savior's arms on January 26, 2018 at Belle Terrace in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  She was born to John and Antonette (Hudecek) Vintean on July 18, 1923 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was raised in South Omaha, attended Brown Park Elementary School, and graduated from Omaha South High School in 1942.

Helen was proudly employed at the Bomber Plant at Offutt Air Field, now known as Offutt Air Force Base during World War 2.  She met a Navy man, Andrew Frank Garfield, of Omaha and they were married on August 17, 1946 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Omaha.

Andrew was employed with Missouri Pacific Railroad as a depot agent, and was transferred to Union, Nebraska where they made their home.  Helen became a busy mother to John Frank, James Andrew, Karen Marie and Frederick Joseph.  The family eventually moved to Talmage, Nebraska where Andrew became the depot agent. 

Talmage was home for many years where Helen raised her family, becoming very involved with their activities.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in both Union and Talmage.  She volunteered in PTA at Talmage Public School and attended Charter Oak Christian Church.

Helen's love for children led to caring for many children other than her own, and later, she was also employed at the Talmage School cafeteria.  Her house was always open to her children's friends, and was often full of laughter.  Her Czech and Romanian heritage led to her love of polka music which she passed on to her children!

Helen eventually moved to Tecumseh, Nebraska where she became employed at the Campbell Soup Company.  She found a church home at First Baptist where she enjoyed the fellowship of wonderful friends.  After retirement Helen went to live at the Tecumseh Manor.  In 2014 she became a resident of Belle Terrace, where she departed this life.

Helen loved people and made friends everywhere she went.  She knew no strangers, and had a great sense of humor.  She cherished her family, and will be greatly missed by many.

Those left to mourn her death are her children; John Garfield and wife Sharon of O'Fallon, MO, James Garfield and wife Jane of Central City, NE, Karen Christensen and husband Neal of Lincoln, NE and her 8 grandchildren that adored her, Lisa Edwards and husband Timothy,  Adrian Scott Christensen and fiance' Mandy Cohee, Derek Garfield and wife Stephanie, Darin Garfield and wife Chevonne, Lori Chenot and husband Marc, Brandon Christensen and wife Beth, Christina Schmitt and husband Rob and Danae Garfield and fiance' Doug Evans, her pride and joy, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way, nieces and nephews.  

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter, Charlene Ann, son, Frederick Joseph, infant great-granddaughter, Elsie Marie Garfield. sister Eleanor Sesto and husband Frank and brothers, John and Emil Vintean.  

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska, with Rev. Hugh Giesbrecht officiating.

Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.

Memorials may go to the First Baptist Church, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Burial will be in the Bohemian Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska at a later date.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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