Clarence Frederick William Helms

Clarence Frederick William Helms

Jan. 21, 1921 - July 25, 2014

ARAPAHOE, Neb. -- Clarence Frederick William Helms, 93, of Arapahoe, died Friday (July 25, 2014), at Good Samaritan Society in Arapahoe.

He was born Jan. 21, 1921, to Henry C. and Bertha (Hinz) Helms on the family farm northeast of Arapahoe.

He attended Immanuel Lutheran School through the eighth grade. On Feb. 16, 1944, Clarence married Lois Stillman at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, northwest of Arapahoe. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16, 2014. To this union four sons were born; Lanny, Randy, Dick and Bruce.

He enrolled in Co. 754 CCC Camp SCS-Neb-23 Beaver City, Nebraska, on June 25, 1941. During this six-month period, Clarence worked on the surveying crew, tractor crew and as a tractor driver.

On March 17, 1944, he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After his basic training, he was shipped to Germany, where he worked in the motor pool during the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. Clarence was honorably discharged on April 28, 1946.

He returned to Arapahoe and worked for two years as a mechanic at the International dealership of Arapahoe. He and his wife moved to a farm seven miles north of Holbrook, Nebraska, where they raised milo, wheat, hay, chickens, milking cows and Polled Hereford cattle.

Clarence built a Polled Hereford herd, known as Helms Polled Herefords. On Oct. 24, 2004, the American Hereford Association awarded him with a Golden award for raising Hereford cattle for more than 50 years.

He was a 4-H club leader for many years and also served in various offices and positions in the Nebraska Polled Hereford Association. He was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Cambridge, Nebraska, and Trinity Lutheran Church Arapahoe and was a member of the Burtons Bend VFW 9357.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Reinhold and Henry; and sisters, Viola Monter, Bertha Evers, Edna Downing, Loreen Flicker and Alice Irene Helms.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Helms of Arapahoe; children, Lanny and wife, Martha Helms of Arapahoe, Randy and wife, Linda Helms of Holbrook, Dick and wife, Bonnie Helms of Arapahoe, Bruce and wife, Sue Helms of Holbrook; brother, Edwin and wife, Grace Helms of Arapahoe; sisters, Ruth McGhghy of Greeley, Colorado, and Lucilla Carr of Elkhorn, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren.

Funeral services are Tuesday, July 29, 2014, 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe, with the Rev. James Moshier officiating. Interment will be at Arapahoe Cemetery at Arapahoe with Military rites given by the Burton's Bend VFW, Arapahoe American Legion and Nebraska Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Viewing and visitation is today, July 28, 2014, until 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church Radio Station, Good Samaritan Society-Arapahoe or Mission Central 40718 Highway E16 Mapleton, Iowa 51034-7105.

Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Wenburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.