Reinsch, Helen Henrietta

Female 1917 - 2003  (85 years)


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  • Name Reinsch, Helen Henrietta 
    Born 7 Nov 1917  Stanton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    • According to one of her obituaries, Helen was born at her parents' home near Martland.
    Gender Female 
    Died 12 Apr 2003  Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 6

    •      The following is a transcription provided by Jane Michel of an obituary for Helen Biegert which appeared in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Nebraska, in April 2003.

                Helen Biegert

           Helen Henrietta Biegert was born to Emil Reinsch and Agnes Steffgen Reinsch on Nov. 7, 1917, in her home near Martland and passed away on April 12, 2003 at her home in Geneva at the age of 85. She was one of three children in the family.
           Helen grew up and went to a rural school then St. Joseph's Catholic School until eighth grade. She was able to attend Geneva High School by living and helping her uncle and aunt with their five children and graduated in 1935. Upon graduation, she moved to Denver, Colo., and worked with plans to enter the School of Nursing; however, after the death of her aunt, Maria Reinsch, she returned to Geneva to help her Uncle Henry with his children.
           On Nov. 26, 1940, she married Willis. W. Biegert with who she had ten children. The couple resided in Shickley and later moved to Geneva, where she raised their children. She was involved in St. Joseph's Altar Society and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She and her husband purchased the Southside Tavern in 1960 and ran it for several years. After selling their business, she worked at Marguerite's, which later became Kay Maria's Dress Shop.
           Upon retiring, Helen enjoyed bingo and cards with her friends and time with her family. She enjoyed her church and making U.G.L.Y. quilts for the homeless. She volunteered to help when help was needed and especially enjoyed the coffee group after mass each morning.
           She always made herself available for her family and friends. Her children will always remember their mother’s great love for them; shown endless times, when she was there for them in so many ways.
           Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, "Smokey"; a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter Colleen Francis; and her two brothers, Joe and Ernest Reinsch.
           She is survived by her sons: Thomas Emil and wife, Toodie of Geneva; Steven James and wife, Janet of Lincoln; William Paul and wife, Kathleen Grossman of Lincoln; five daughters, Sister Susan Therese Biegert of South Dakota; Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva; Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City; Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Arizona; and Jeanette Eileen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
           Rosary was recited Monday, April 14 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Geneva.
           Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, April 15, from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Geneva with Msgr. Ivan Vap officiating.
           Mary Ann Najmon accompanied son leaders Ron and Nancy Fleecs and the congregation who sang Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, Be Not Afraid, You Are Near, Jesus, Jesus and On Eagles Wings.
           Casket bearers were Douglas Biegert, David Biegert, Martin Seward, Joe Armatys, Eric Keist and Adam Keist.
           Honorary bearers were Kelly (Seward) Jarzynka, Chrissy Biegert, Betsy Armatys, Nicole Biegert, Amanda Ham, Mitchell Ham, Julianne Ham, Greyson Biegert, Meghan Biegert and Rachael Biegert.
           Graveside services were held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
    Buried Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 8
    • Helen was buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.
    Person ID I6840  Fiegenbaum
    Last Modified 13 Mar 2011 

    Father Reinsch, Emil,   b. 14 Mar 1883, Momence Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Apr 1964, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Mother Steffgen, Agnes Marie,   b. 19 Jun 1891, Hamilton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1982  (Age 90 years) 
    Marriage License 15 Jan 1910  Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    • Emil and Agnes were residences of Grafton, Nebraska at the time.
    Married 18 Jan 1910  Momence Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
    • Emil and Agnes were married by Rev. Charles A. Becker at St. Mary's Church, north of Schickley. According to the marriage certificate, the witnesses were John Reinsch and Hannah Steffgen.
    Family ID F2201  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Biegert, Willis Wilford,   b. 6 Nov 1917, Stanton Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jan 1984, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Married 26 Nov 1940  [16, 17, 18, 19
    • They were the parents of ten children. Our current information does allow us to determine the birth order for all of the children.
    Children 
     1. Biegert, Douglas Wilson,   b. 13 Sep 1943, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Sep 1946, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     2. Biegert, Colleen Francis,   b. 1956,   d. 1956  (Age 0 years)
     3. Biegert, Jeanette Eileen
     4. Biegert, Joann Louise
     5. Biegert, Nancy Carol
     6. Biegert, Sally Ann
     7. Biegert, Steven James
     8. Biegert, Susan Therese
     9. Biegert, Thomas Emil
     10. Biegert, William Paul
    Last Modified 6 Aug 2018 
    Family ID F2218  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S209] Jane Michel, Genealogical Research, From the file (Emil & Agnes Reinsch.doc) emailed on 2 May 2009.
      Helen was a child of Emil Reinsch and Agnes Marie Steffgen. Jane Michel cites the 1920 U.S. census for the Emil Reinsch household in Stanton, Fillmore County, Nebraska where "Helen H." is a 2 year and 9 month old daughter.

    2. [S209] Jane Michel, Genealogical Research, From the file (Michael & Mary Steffgen.doc) emailed on 30 May 2009. page 5.
      Helen Reinsch was a child of Emil Reinsch and Agnes Marie Steffgen. No date or place of birth given.

    3. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); 23 April 1964.
      Obituary for Emil Reinsch. Transcription provided by Jane Michel.
           "To this union were born two sons, Ernest and Joseph and one daughter, Helen."
           "Mr. Reinsch is survived by...one daughter Mrs. Helen Biegert of Geneva,...."

    4. [S48] Cemetery or burial marker, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
      Image of gravestone provided in August 2009 by Jane Michel.
           According to the engraving on the joint stone for Helen H. and Willis W. (Smokey) Biegert, Helen was born on 7 November 1917 and died on 12 April 2003.

    5. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); April 2003.
      Transcription of obituary for "Helen Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "Helen Henrietta Biegert was born to Emil Reinsch and Agnes Steffgen Reinsch on Nov. 7, 1917, in her home near Martland.... She was one of three children in the family."

    6. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); April 2003.
      Transcription of obituary for "Helen Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.

    7. [S48] Cemetery or burial marker, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
      A joint gravestone for Helen H. and Willis W. (Smokey) Biegert. Image of the stone provided in August 2009 by Jane Michel.

    8. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); April 2003.
      Transcription of obituary for "Helen Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "Graveside services were held at the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery."

    9. [S25] Marriage license, Fillmore County, Nebraska; Number 3823; 15 January 1910.
      Digital image of Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage from Book 4, page 422 provided by Jane Michel.
           Marriage License for "Mr. Emil Reinsch" and "Miss Agnes Steffgen" issued on 15 January 1910 by W. R. Fulton, County Judge of Fillmore County, Nebraska.
           Emil Reinsch: age 26; white; born in Fillmore County, "Nebr" [Nebraska]; residing in Grafton, "Nebr"; father's name - "Jos Reinsch"; mother's maiden name - Emil [sic] Kamler.
           Agnes Steffgen: age 19; white; born in "Hamilton [ditto] " [i.e., the same as directly above (for the groom) - "Nebr"?]; residing in [ditto] [ditto] " [i.e., the same as directly above (for the groom) - Grafton, "Nebr"]; father's name - Mike Steffgen; mother's maiden name - Mary Blum.

    10. [S209] Jane Michel, Genealogical Research, Descendant chart for Michael and Mary (Blum) Steffgen. Created 19 April 2009.
      Emil Reinsch and Agnes Marie Steffgen were married on 18 January 1910. No place given.

    11. [S209] Jane Michel, Genealogical Research, From the file (Emil & Agnes Reinsch.doc) emailed on 2 May 2009.
      Emil Reinsch and Agnes Marie Steffgen were married on 18 January 1910.

    12. [S30] Certificate of Marriage, Fillmore County, Nebraska; Number 3823; 15 January 1910.
      Digital image of Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage from Book 4, page 422 provided by Jane Michel.
           Certificate of Marriage signed by "Rev. Chas. A. Becker" on 19 January 1910.
           Rev. Becker certified that "Mr. Emil Reinsch" and "Miss Agnes Steffgen" were married on 18 January 1910 at "St. Mary's Church, Momence Prect." in Fillmore County, Nebraska. Witnesses were John Reinsch and Hannah Steffgen.

    13. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); 23 April 1964.
      Obituary for Emil Reinsch. Transcription provided by Jane Michel.
           "January 18, 1910, he was married to Agnes Steffgen, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Steffgen of Shickley, at St. Mary’s Catholic church near Shickley, Father Charles A. Becker officiating. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reinsch moved to a farm near Grafton. ..."
           "To this union were born two sons, Ernest and Joseph and one daughter, Helen.

    14. [S209] Jane Michel, Genealogical Research, From the file (Michael & Mary Steffgen.doc) emailed on 30 May 2009. page 5.
      Emil Reinsch and Agnes Marie Steffgen were married on 18 January 1910. Jane Michel cited "Fillmore County NE Marriages, NSHS, Lincoln From Original Book 4, page 422."

    15. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); January 1945.
      Obituary for Mrs. Marie Steffgen. Transcription provided by Jane Michel.
           "Left to mourn her departure are three daughters..Mrs. Agnes Reinsch,...."

    16. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); 2 January 1975.
      Obituary for Henry W. Steffgen who died on 22 December 1974. Transcription provided by Jane Michel.
           "Pallbearers were Wayne Budler, Bernard Budler, Joseph Reinsch, W. W. Biegert, Floyd Pontine and Cecil Perkins, nephews of the deceased."

    17. [S48] Cemetery or burial marker, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska.
      Image of gravestone provided in August 2009 by Jane Michel.
           According to the engraving on the joint stone for Helen H. and Willis W. (Smokey) Biegert, they were married on 26 November 1940.

    18. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska); April 2003.
      Transcription of obituary for "Helen Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "On Nov. 26, 1940, she married Willis. W. Biegert with who she had ten children. The couple resided in Shickley and later moved to Geneva, where she raised their children."
           "Helen was preceded in death by ... a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter Colleen Francis; .....
           "She is survived by her sons: Thomas Emil and wife, Toodie of Geneva; Steven James and wife, Janet of Lincoln; William Paul and wife, Kathleen Grossman of Lincoln; five daughters, Sister Susan Therese Biegert of South Dakota; Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva; Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City; Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Arizona; and Jeanette Eileen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; ...."

    19. [S22] Obituary, Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebrasak); 2 February 1984.
      Transcription of obituary for "Willis Wilford Biegert" provided by Jane Michel.
           "He was married to Helen H. Reinsch of Geneva on November 26, 1940, and to them ten children were born."
           "He was preceded in death ... by a son, Douglas Wilson; and a daughter, Colleen Francis; a brother Arthur; and an infant sister.
           "He is survived by his wife, Helen of Geneva; sons, Thomas Emil and wife Toodie of Geneva, Steven James and wife Janet of Lincoln and William Paul of Omaha; five daughters, Sister Susan Theresa Biegert of Lawrence, Nancy Carol (Mrs. Steve Seward) of Geneva, Sally Ann (Mrs. Tony Armatys) of Central City, Joann Louise (Mrs. Steve Keist) of Lincoln and Jeannettee Eilleen (Mrs. Don Ham) of Lincoln; a sister, Mrs. James (Darlene) Vodicka of Exeter; half-sisters, Mrs. Fern Gent of Aurora and Mrs. Dorothea Novak of Sidney; ...."