Helen R. Vaughn

Memorial Mass for Helen R. Vaughn will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook, Nebraska with Father Gary Brethour officiating. Private family inurnment will be held in the Elmwood Cemetery at Fruita, Colorado at a later date.

Helen Roberta Vaughn, 82 years of age, of Holdrege (formerly of McCook, Nebraska), passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Helen was born September 7, 1931 at McCook, one of three children born to Robert E. and Vera (Pate) Kennedy. She received her primary education from St. Patrick's Catholic School in McCook until the eighth grade and then completed her education at McCook High School, graduating with the class of 1949.


On September 20, 1949, Helen was united in marriage to Kenneth R. "Tune" Vaughn and to this union eight children were born: Kathi, Susan, Nancy, Jennifer, Thomas, Kenneth, Barbara, and Kevin. The family made their home on a farm north of McCook, where the couple engaged in farming. While Kenneth concentrated on the farm, Helen focused her efforts on raising their children. She also enjoyed gardening, traveling, and was a member of several extension clubs through the years, where she made many friendship bonds. She loved the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook. In 2010, Helen moved to Holdrege to be near her family where she resided at Westport Apartments until a stroke in 2011 at which time she began to make her home at Holdrege Memorial Homes.


Besides her husband, Kenneth, parents; and step-mother, Virginia (McMillan) Kennedy; Helen was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer; two sons: Thomas in infancy and Kenneth; son-in-law, Bill Reents; one brother, Roger Kennedy; and one sister, Hazel Freziers.


Helen leaves to mourn her passing; four daughters: Kathi Vaughn of Sterling, Colorado, Susan Reents of Omaha, Nebraska, Nancy Danley of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Barb Green and her husband, Rick "Pokey" of Holdrege; one son, Kevin Vaughn and his wife, Tammy of Roosevelt, Washington; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.


Memorial Book Signing will be held on Monday, July 21, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.


A memorial has been established in Helen's honor and will be designated at a later date.


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.