Helen Gerber, 96, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Monday, March 22, 2021, at the Genoa Community Hospital, Genoa, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 25 at 10:30 AM, at the Federated Church in Columbus with Rev. Dr. Edward Yang officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to the wishes of the family.

Helen I. Gerber was born July 27, 1924, in Columbus to Leonard and LuLu (Clark) Whiting. She attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Kramer High School in 1943. After graduation she moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, for a short time. She then moved back to Columbus and started working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator in 1943. In 1944, she transferred to Omaha working in the toll office and then the dial office. In 1946, she transferred back to Columbus. On July 27, 1949, she was united in marriage to Sam Gerber. She worked until 1953 when she took a leave of absence to wait the arrival of their first daughter. In 1957, they were blessed with a second daughter. Sam and Helen were later divorced. Helen went back to work part-time for Northwestern Bell and General Telephone Company, before starting full time for General Telephone as an operator in 1960. She transferred into the Service Center in 1979 and retired in 1983 after 23 years of service.

Helen enjoyed watching Husker sports, Kansas City Royals baseball, working crossword puzzles, and watching TV. Helen always remembered everyone with cards for their birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen was a 50 year member of the Federated Church.

Helen is survived by:
Daughter – Pat (Gary) Houska of Norfolk, NE
Daughter – Kathy (Rex) Hash of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren – Shawn (Eden) Houska of Lincoln, NE; Kerry (Stefan) Christ of Norfolk, NE; James Hash of Clarinda, IA; and Kenneth (Jasmine) Hash of Columbus, NE
Great-Grandchildren – Stefan Jr. and Zachary Christ; Hayden, Baylor, and Eastyn Hash; and Bennett Hash

Helen was preceded in death by:
Parents – Leonard and LuLu Whiting
Infant Brother
Sister – Dorothy (Larry) Hecht

Service Folder Information
Mothers Never Die

You have never lost your mother,
Though you've said your last goodbyes,
Though there's heartbreak in the parting.
No one's mother really dies.

If you love to hear the old songs
for memories they bring.
It's because you had a mother who had
taught your heart to sing.

If you stop to help a neighbor,
Search your heart and you will find,
It's because you had a mother
who's taught you to be kind.

If you go to church when weary,
Seeking God to guide your way,
It's because you had a mother
who's taught you how to pray.

No, you've never lost your mother,
Though you've said your last goodbyes,
Through your thoughts and deeds she's living.
No one's mother really dies.





In Loving Memory Of

Helen I. Gerber

Born
Sunday, July 27, 1924
Columbus, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Monday, March 22, 2021
Columbus, Nebraska

Service
Thursday, March 25, 2021 10:30 AM
Federated Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant
Rev. Dr. Edward Yang

Music
CD Music
"Amazing Grace"
"Nearer My God To Thee"
"How Great Thou Art"

Pallbearers
Rex Hash
Gary Houska
James Hash
Shawn Houska
Kenneth Hash
Stefan Christ

Interment
Roselawn Memorial Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska