Helen L. Buckles

Helen Louise (Schaeffer) Buckles was born September 27th, 1923, on a farm near Oak, Nebraska. She passed from this life Monday, October 27th, 2025, at Parkview Haven, Deshler, Nebraska at the age of 102 years and 1 month.

Helen was one of 7 children born to W. Earl and Dina (Hespen) Schaeffer. Helen was baptized into the Christian faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kiowa, on October 17, 1923, and confirmed September 5th, 1937, at St. Paul Lutheran Church rural Ruskin. Helen was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and the WELCA in Davenport, Nebraska since 1958, going to church every time the church doors were open. Helen shared her deep Christian faith by teaching Sunday School and Confirmation classes for many years. Helen loved Christian music and taught the meaning of hymns to her children and others. It was common to walk by her assisted living apartment and hear her singing favorite hymns from her Lutheran hymnal. She was a faithful member of the Friendship Bible Coffee group. Helen's favorite Large Print Book was her Bible with the well-worn pages showing evidence that it was used daily.

Helen attended one room schools in Nuckolls and Thayer counties, graduating from Ruskin High School in 1940. She never missed a Ruskin High reunion until this last year. Helen wanted to become a teacher and was certified to teach school for a 3 year period. She loved learning and shared that love with her students in rural schools in Nuckolls and Thayer counties. In her later years she enjoyed keeping in contact with many of her students.

During World War II, Helen worked at the Lincoln Air Base, licensed as a driver for 1 1/2 ton trucks out of the Motor Pool, driving at times in convoys. After the war the Lincoln Air Base closed, and Helen worked at the Elgin Watch Factory in Lincoln.

Helen was united in marriage to Kenneth D. Buckles February 26, 1950, at Grace Lutheran Church, Hebron, Nebraska. They lived in Lincoln until then they moved to a farm near Gilead in the spring of 1954, and later moved to the Walter Korff farm north of Hebron. In 1958 they purchased Davenport Service Station, where they became part of the Davenport community and raised their family there. Helen loved children, working at the Rainbow World children's daycare in Geneva for several years until she and Kenny retired in l990.

Helen and Kenny were blessed with 3 children. Douglas joined the couple in 1954, Janet in 1961 and Jay in 1964. To Helen, family was everything, spending hours teaching her children Bible stories and prayers, being involved with their Scouting trips, Church camps and Youth retreats. Helen relished her relationships with her siblings, provided loving care to her parents and in-laws during their advanced ages. She was an avid gardener, preparing her garden produce for the family to enjoy throughout the year. Helen was a wonderful cook. She shared these interests with not only her family but with her neighbors and friends as well. Helen felt one of her "greatest blessings" and source of enjoyment were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The grandchildren enjoyed many adventures camping and boating with their grandparents.

Helen and Kenny belonged to the Spring Creek Swingers Square Dance Club in Ruskin for many years where they made lifelong friends. They spent time in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, over the winter months enjoying the activities and the opportunity to make new friends. Helen loved meeting people and she knew no strangers. During her time at assisted living facilities she was usually the first person to welcome new residents. It wouldn't take long and she would know their family history. For years she and Kenny would spend their Sunday afternoons visiting the elderly in the neighborhood and the surrounding nursing homes. Helen had a real heart for the elderly, taking time to sit and visit, making each person feel special. Helen loved to play cards, and wouldn't miss the chance to play a game of Pitch. She loved to read and often said that many times a good book was her best friend in her later years. Even in her years of 100 and above she read the newspaper and listened to the news because she thought it was important for her to know what was going on in the world.

Helen was preceded in death by Kenneth, her loving husband of 68 years, her parents; Sisters: Mildred Schaeffer, Irene Davis, Pauline Fisher, and Bert Christensen; Brothers: Eugene Schaeffer and Harry Schaeffer. Brother-in-laws: Roy Buckles, Jim Buckles, Bud Krogh, Bill Christensen, Vic Fisher, John Davis, and sister in laws Deloris Buckles and Alice Krogh.

Helen is survived by her children: Doug and Lynette Buckles, Tucson, Arizona; Janet and Rick Bates, Hebron, Nebraska; and Jay and Kathy Buckles, Deshler, Nebraska. Grandchildren: Alexcia and Jim Klemish, Matthew and Lindsey Bates, Sarah and Derek Wiseman, Aaron and Hanah Buckles and Austin Buckles. Great-grandchildren: Emma, William and Olivia Klemish, Jordyn and Klayton Bates and Nevaeh and Nash Wiseman. Sister in laws, Willa Buckles, Aleene Schaeffer Mills, and Harriet Schaeffer, as well as other relatives, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Family visitation will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, November 3rd, 2025, at 2:00 P.M, at Christ Lutheran Church in Davenport, with Pastor Beth Roegner officiating. Organist is Deb Pohlmann. Congregational hymns will be "In the Sweet By and By", "Precious Memories" and "Jesus Loves Me". Special music "Victory In Jesus" and "In the Garden" will be presented by Vickie Nielsen and Ivan Miller. Interment at Davenport Cemetery.

Casket Bearers are Roger Fisher, Clint Schaeffer, Bruce Christensen, Aaron Buckles, Hanah Buckles and Austin Buckles. Honorary bearers are Matthew Bates, Jim Klemish, Orlan Renz, Kurt Saltzman and Robert Lewis.

Memorials are requested to the Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, and may be mailed to Urbauer-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 187, Hebron, Nebraska, 68370. 

Helen's service will be live-streamed via the Christ's Lutheran Church's Davenport, Ne Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ChristsLutheranDavenport

Urbauer-Price Funeral Home of Davenport is assisting the family with arrangements.