Helen E. Swartz, 87, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 10:30 AM, at Gass Haney Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Thelen officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and continue Saturday from 9:30 AM until service time all at the funeral home.  Burial of Helen and James will follow in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the family.  The service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890 .

Helen Elaine Swartz was born August 17, 1936, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to John and Cora (Lee) Richard.  She met the love of her life, James Swartz, in grade school. After graduating from Ceresco High School, the couple were united in marriage on November 18, 1956, in Ceresco.  Shortly after they were married they moved to Columbus where they lived the majority of their life.  Four children were born to this union - Kate, Karla, Kristie, and Richard.

Helen was a devoted wife and mother, working as a waitress at several different restaurants to help provide for her family.  Her main goal in life was to raise her family, and she did an amazing job.  Helen and Jim loved to travel south in the winter months and she was an avid frog collector, traveling across the country to find many treasures.  Her family was very important to her, especially all of her many grand, great grand, and great-great grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her children - Kate Cook of Washington; Karla (Dave) Nansel of Columbus, Nebraska; Kristie PIllen of Boise, Idaho; and son Richard Swartz of Columbus, Nebraska.  Many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother - Jerry Richard of St. Louis, Missouri; sister - Laura (Gary) Lindgren of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister-in-law - Darlene Richard of Lincoln, Nebraska; brother-in-law - David (Jan) Swartz of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Helen was preceded in death by: parents - John and Cora Richard; husband - James Swartz; son-in-law - Jeff Pillen; grandson - Kody Pillen; brothers - (infant twin brother) Allen, Charlie (Charolette), Raymond (Norma) Jim, and George Richard; sister-in-law - Mona Richard.