Helen Skala

Helen Skala, 91 of Kearney and formerly of the Gibbon area died Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at St. Luke's Good Samaritan Village in Kearney. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton. The Rev. James Janovec will officiate. Interment will be 2:00 PM at the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery north of Gibbon. Visitation will be 5-7 PM , Sunday at the church with a vigil to follow at 7 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Gibbon Fire Department or Hearthside Cottage in Gibbon. On-line condolences may be submitted to osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger - Miller Godberson Chapel of Gibbon is in charge of arrangements. Helen was born February 6, 1922 north of Shelton to Frank and Anna (Klinkacek) Hanousek. She attended rural schools in the Shelton area. She was united in marriage to Fred C. Skala at Prairie Center Catholic Church northeast of Kearney. Helen and Fred made their home on a farm north of Gibbon. For many years she worked at the Nebraska Turkey Growers processing plant in Gibbon and helped on the family farm. Helen loved and enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved playing games with them and teaching them a few Bohemian words. She will be long remembered for the many afghans she crocheted for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Helen enjoyed many hours of card playing and was usually a winner! Entertainment for her was watching the K.C. Royals baseball games and the Cornhuskers play football on TV. Feeding and watching the squirrels was a daily must. Her collection of squirrels reflected her passion for them. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton. Helen is survived by one son, James (Jim) and his wife Wilma of Gibbon, daughter-in-law, Becky Skala of Kearney, 5 grandchildren, Randy Skala and wife Renee of Gibbon, Dan Skala and wife, Kelly of Manhattan, KS, Kristi Milks and husband Alan of Gibbon, Jeff Skala and wife Amanda of Gibbon, Jamie Jurgensen and husband Kenton of Omaha, 9 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jake and Beau Skala of Kearney, Chad Skala of Manhattan, KS, Macy and Ryan Milks of Gibbon, Bailee Skala of Gibbon and Barrett and Brayden Jurgensen Omaha. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred, son Dave, two brothers, Louie and Ed Hanousek and one sister, Blanche Eickhoff.

Helen Skala

February 6, 1922 - May 29, 2013