Helen Jean (Kratochvil) Kolman

Helen Jean Kolman, 90 passed away at her home into God’s heavenly care surrounded by her family on August 1, 2015.  Helen was born on May 21, 1925 to Frank and Anne (Nerud) Kratochvil, eight miles west of Wilber, Nebraska.  She grew up on a farm during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression years in the rural Jansen area.  After moving from the farm to the Filley area, she graduated from Filley High School, and then moved to Beatrice.  There, she worked at Dempster’s Manufacturing, adding in the World War II war effort on the home front.  She married Oscar Kolman on December 13, 1948.  She was a devoted wife and mother, raising five children.  She was active in the PTA and school activities.  Helen later became bookkeeper and part owner of Van Borkum Fruits and Vegetable Wholesale in Beatrice, where she worked from 1972-2010, retiring at the age of 85.  She enjoyed meeting and greeting customers.  Her garden, filled with tulips, roses, fruits, and vegetables, brought her joy.  She was a great animal lover.  She was an excellent cook and loved to bake.  One of her favorite pastimes was following the KC Royals baseball team. Most of all she had a great love of family and friends, and loved caring for and being active in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her children:  Linda Schmit and husband Steve of Beatrice, Pat Urbanovsky and husband Dennis of Ord, Nebraska, Larry Kolman and wife Deb of Beatrice, Gary Kolman and fiancé Linda Fisher of Beatrice.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Jason Schmit and wife Carrie, Aubrey and Samuel of Lincoln, Nebraska, Erin Spilker, Hazel and Elsie of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jeff Urbanovsky of san Diego, California, Kelly Urbanovsky of Ord, Nebraska, Clint Urbanovsky of LaVista, Nebraska, Tina Homan and husband Tony, Beckett and Lucas of Seattle, Washington, Jen Rezac and husband Matt and Dominic of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Jon Kolman of Lincoln, Nebraska, Amanda Kolman of Lincoln, Nebraska and Ryan Kolman of Beatrice.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Kolman, her son, Steven M. Kolman and infant grandson, Paul Kolman.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel, Beatrice with Sharon Schuster, officiating.  Burial will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the Harman-Wright Mortuary 9am-9pm Tuesday with the family greeting 7-8 pm.  A register book is also available online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com for messages of condolence.  A memorial is established to the Beatrice Humane Society with the mortuary in charge.  Harman-Wright Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

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