Helen Delight (Van Meter) Pettit-Mitchell

Nov. 16, 1912 - Feb. 26, 2010

NORTH PLATTE -- Helen Delight (Van Meter) Pettit-Mitchell, 97, of Tryon and North Platte, died Friday (Feb. 26, 2010) at Linden Court.

She was born Nov. 16, 1912, at Curtis to George Brown and Eva Irene (Wagoner) Van Meter. She attended School District 26 in McPherson County and high school at Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, graduating in 1931. She also attended Doane College at Crete for 1 year.

On Jan. 31, 1933, she married Donald Davis Pettit at Curtis. Don and Helen enjoyed 13 winters as Snow Birds at Paul's Park in Brownsville, Texas, taking part in park activities and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Don died Nov. 25, 1993, and Helen remained in their home on the ranch until she married Homer Mitchell on October 10, 1997. They lived at Centennial Park until Aug. 1, 1999, when they moved to Linden Estates. Homer died June 7, 2001. Helen remained at Linden Estates in 2007, and then moved to Linden Court.

She spent 15 years as a 4-H leader, co-chairman and chairman of the County Home Extension Council, member of the teaching staff of the Soddy Sunday School, a member of the Helping Hand Club for over 70 years, holding every office of the club several times. She was a member of Good Sam's Camping Club, Nebraska Cow Belles, and Sunshine Extension Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; one son-in-law, Gene Taylor; and one grandson, Jason Pettit.

Survivors include her six children, Phyllis Taylor of North Platte, Roberta Pettit of New Brighton, Minn., Merlin and wife, Vera of Lincoln, Stan and wife, Julie of Stapleton, Dale and wife, Colleen of Tryon, and Terry and wife, Evelyn of Culbertson; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., at the Tryon Methodist Church with the Rev. Linda Parsons officiating. Burial to follow at the Miller Cemetery near Tryon.

Visitation will be today, 12 a.m. until 6 p.m., and tuesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The family will be receiving friends Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.

A memorial has been established in her name and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.