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Helen Marie McKinney began her full life in Beatrice, NE when she was born to Ernest Leroy Nelson and Elizabeth Mae Woodworth Nelson. She was the fourth child of the family with seven brothers and sisters. Her childhood was filled with family and she grew to understand that family and friends were important. After graduating from high school, she married and was blessed with two children, Birkley and Brenda. Helen spent her time as a mother working different jobs to help her family. She was a beautician and worked with the elderly. The family moved to Wyoming, where she watched her children grow and marry. Helen became a grandmother during these years. While living in Wyoming, she spent time working for the Gillette News Record. The sense of community would continue to thrive in Helen during these years. After many grandchildren were born, she moved back to her home state of Nebraska. This is when she married her husband, Dave McKinney, and her family grew. She spent years caring for her family and others. Her love of helping others led her to teach Sunday school and worship at the Christian Church DOC in Unadilla and the Christian Church DOC in Elmwood. She worked for the Nebraska Department of Corrections for many years. When she retired from that position, she then devoted many years caring for the people of Elmwood, NE by running the village's community center. There was hardly a person that did not recognize Helen's smile. Helen could easily make friends in whatever setting she was in: buying groceries, serving meals in the center, or while going out to eat with her husband. She saw three of her grandchildren married and loved becoming a great grandmother. Gigi became the beloved name that her great granddaughters would call her. There was always an activity and yummy treats ready for her grandkids when they stopped by to visit.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Margaret Ann Trisler, Joyce Elaine Reed, Danny Leroy Nelson, Ernest Leroy nelson Jr, Brenda Kay Doetker, and Brian David Nelson. Her life will be survived through her husband, David McKinney; sister, Vicki Sue Berry; children, Birkley (Charity) and Brenda (Cody); seventeen grandchildren (and spouses); six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Helen will be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 1st at the Elmwood Christian Church 311 North 5th Street, Elmwood, NE 68349. The service will be livestreamed on the Fusselman Facebook page.

Memorials can be sent to the family of Helen McKinney in care of the Elmwood Christian Church.

Arrangements By: Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home, Elmwood, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com