Helen E. Anderson

Funeral Services for Helen E. Anderson will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Dale Lambert, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Helen Elaine Anderson, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2011 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Helen was born December 28, 1921 in Campbell, Nebraska, the eldest of six children born to Leslie L. and Emma V. (McCoy) Bierhaus. She grew up in Campbell, graduating from Campbell High School with the class of 1940.

Following her education, Helen was employed for a brief time in Hastings and then Lincoln, Nebraska. In May of 1942, Helen relocated to Los Angeles, California, where she was united in marriage to James B. Lunsford on June 7, 1942. To this union two sons were born: Ronald and Wayne . In 1945 Helen returned to Campbell, where she and her sons made their home with her parents. She worked at Campbell Mills until 1950 when the family moved to Holdrege.

Helen worked as boy's matron at Christian Homes, at the Holdrege Hospital and at Holdrege Floral. In January 1957 she began as a receptionist for Dr. Harry Hathaway's dental office. After Dr. Hathaway's retirement she continued to work with his successor, Dr. Robert Butz, until her retirement in March of 1984. After her retirement from work she continued to donate her time and efforts to helping others and was recognized for her quilts for AIDs babies.

On January 22, 1960 she was united in marriage to Eldon L. Anderson of Holdrege. They continued to make their home in Holdrege, but found time to indulge her love of travel. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege, and was active with the United Methodist Women – Sarah Group, and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Eastern Star.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Eldon (Oct. 19, 1984), two brothers: Donald and Robert Bierhaus; brothers-in-law: Arthur Mattison and Boyd Henk; and a sister-in-law, Elaine Bierhaus.

She leaves to mourn her passing her two sons: Ron Lunsford and his wife, Mary of Lake Ozark, Missouri and Wayne Lunsford and his wife, Judy of Satellite Beach, Florida; two grandchildren: Geoff Lunsford of Atlanta, Georgia and Dr. Keri Lunsford of Durham, North Carolina; brother, Milford Bierhaus and his wife, Lucita of Campbell; two sisters: Velma Mattison of Campbell and Alta Henk of Beloit, Kansas; sister-in-law, Evelyn Bierhaus of Lincoln, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the United Methodist Women or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.