Helen Bessie (Reimers) Blomstedt

WAUNETA -- Helen Bessie (Reimers) Blomstedt, 88, died Saturday (Feb. 14, 2004) at Heritage of Wauneta Nursing Home.

She was born Sept. 5, 1915, to Theodore and Bessie (Stuart) Reimers in Dannebrog. She graduated from the eighth grade at Dannebrog Public School and substitute taught for a period of time while working for numerous farm families in the area.

On Aug. 1, 1935, she married Andrew "Andy" Blomstedt in Dannebrog. She spent a large part of her life in the Grand Island area. In 1950, the couple purchased a farm located south of Mason City. In 1961, the couple moved to Palisade. She lived there until her husbands death in December 1979. She moved to McCook, where she continued to live until 1997, when she entered the nursing home in Wauneta.

She was involved in the promotion of special education because her son, Eldon, was mentally retarded. She and her husband were part of the implementation of the first school located in Palisade for the mentally retarded.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andrew; two sons, Eldon Lynn and infant, Alvin Roger; five sisters; and two brothers.

Survivors include three sons, Dennis and wife, Frances of Palisade, Gerald and wife, Elena of Viola, Kan., and Marvin of Sherman, Texas; two daughters, Genevieve Stephenson and husband, Jerry of Auburn, Wash., and Velma Blomstedt of Salinas, Calif.; 29 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Services were today, 2 p.m. (MST), at Liewer Funeral Home in Wauneta with the Rev. Greg Stuckwisch officiating. Interment is in the Palisade Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in her name.

Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta is in charge of the arrangements.