Helen M. Kronschnabel

Helen Marie Rotherham Kronschnabel died quietly at her home in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, April 1, surrounded by her family. She had been ill with heart disease for the past few months.

Helen was born to Matilda (Bauer) and James Bernard Rotherham on December 23, 1936 in Ewing, Nebraska. She was the first child in what came to be a family of nine - seven girls and two boys. She attended Ewing Public School, both elementary and high school, and graduated in 1955. From there she went on to St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing, earned her degree and graduated with highest honors.

On April 11, 1959 she married John Maurice Kronschnabel at St. Peter de Alcantara Church in Ewing. For several years, Helen was a full-time mother but later went back to work as a nurse in hospitals, including Bergen Mercy, nursing homes and offices until her retirement. She inspired two of her younger sisters to follow in her footsteps and become nurses.

From a young age, Helen always had many friends and held on to most of them for a lifetime. Some were cousins or classmates back in Ewing, some were friends she made in nursing school or at work. Growing up her best friend in the world was her younger brother Ron. The world has lost a treasure. She was a warm and loving person, a role model for and supporter of all her family members. Her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren brought much joy and big smiles to her. She took great joy in attending the Holy Communion ceremonies for Malia and Isa, and they and little brother Michael made her sparkle and smile. She enjoyed the time she got to pick Isa up after school, and loved her grands and great-grands so very much.

When you met Helen, you met a friend. And not just a casual friend. Helen’s were life-long friends, forever friends. She still has her friends from childhood, nursing school, work, church and coffee.

She was a caregiver first, last and always. Even in her dark times, she was caring for everyone around her. Long after she retired (TWICE) she cared for friends, neighbors, relative of friends, and of course, her family.

Helen’s faith and love for God was so strong. She had God’s ear. No one could pray like Helen. Her daughter, Linda, attributes her still being alive to the power of Helen’s prayers. She was a true prayer warrior.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son Michael, son-in-law Jeff Wilson, parents, parents-in-law George and Ellen Kronschnabel, brother Ronald, and sisters Kay Johnson and Myra Schwebel. She is survived by her children: Linda Wilson, Barbara Kronschnabel and Bernard (B.J.) Kronschnabel, daughter-in-law Kim Kronschnabel, grandsons Randy Wilson and Ryan (Diana Ariss Rogel) Kronschnabel, great-grandchildren Malia and Isa Rogel Mendoza and Michael Rogel Kronschnabel, siblings Sister Joseph (Beverly), Annette (John) Wanser, Rita (Russ) Harder, Brenda Rotherham (Jim Kessler) and brother Joe (Pat) Rotherham, sisters-in-law Donita Rotherham and Mary Kronschnabel, brothers-in-law Rodney Johnson and Michael Schwebel and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was a devoted Catholic and active member of her parish. Memorial mass will be held for her on Monday April 10 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 11802 Pacific Street, Omaha. The service will be live cast at www.stroberts.com. Memorial visitation with the family, Monday April 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. The Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard will be honoring Helen at the funeral.

Inurnment will be held later at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Ewing with a service immediately preceding at the church.

The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Essential Pregnancy Services. (https://essentialps.org/)

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”