Helen M. Wilkinson

Helen Mae Wilkinson was born to Claude and Mae (Morrissey) Clutter on July 26, 1930 on the farm near Crab Orchard, Nebraska. She graduated from the 8th grade at the rural school near Crab Orchard and a was a member of the last class to graduate from Crab Orchard High School.

She was united in marriage to Howard Wilkinson on April 15, 1950 and they celebrated 65 years together before he passed away October 14, 2015.

Helen was a farm wife and housekeeper and milked the cows and raised a large garden for her family. She also worked for the Campbell Soup Company in Tecumseh. She and Howard were members of the Crab Orchard Methodist Church until it closed and they transferred their membership to the Tecumseh Methodist Church. Helen was always very involved in her church. She was also a long-time member of the Eastern Star and the Red Hatters Club in Sterling, Nebraska. Helen was an accomplished seamstress and made many of her children’s clothing as well as doll clothes over the years. Helen passed away January 29, 2021 at Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams, Nebraska at the age of 90 years.

She is survived by her children, Vicky Little of Crab Orchard, Julie Reiman (Wayne) of Lewistown, MT, Kathy Wilkinson (Bill Harrington) of Billings, MT, Casey Wilkinson of Africa and Jay Wilkinson (Brenda) of Walton, 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, sister Peggy Davison Fuhrman of Tecumseh, sisters-in-law, Sue Clutter of Liberty Lake, WA and Sally Clutter of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, brother-in-law Larry Wilkinson and wife Corinne of Beatrice, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Howard, brothers, Bill Clutter, Don Clutter, Darwin Clutter, sister, Barbara Jean Timbrook, son-in-law, Junior Little, daughter-in-law, Marilyn Wilkinson and brothers-in-law, Junior Davison, Joe Fuhrman and Hoyt Timbrook.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 5, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Pastor Rob Clark officiating. Special music included “How Great Thou Art” “Amazing Grace” and “Hymn Of Promise.”

Pallbearers were Dylan Little, Clint Little, Zach Reiman, Colby Reiman, Travis Reiman and Nathan Wilkinson.

Honorary pallbearers were Ethan Wilkinson, Rachel Whitney, Hailey Reiman, Katie Wilkinson and Megan Wilkinson.

The service was also livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary/Wherry Monument Facebook page for those choosing not to attend due to Covid-19. Interment was in the Crab Orchard Cemetery, Crab Orchard, Nebraska. Memorials may go to the family’s choice. Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.