Helen Elsie (Pavlik) Vetrovsky

Helen Elsie (Pavlik) Vetrovsky, 95 years of age, of Holmesville passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation. She was born on April 1, 1923 west of Wymore to Frank and Vlasta (Grossman) Pavlik. Helen completed 1st through 8th grade at Plainview Country School, located 1 mile north and ½ mile west of her house. She graduated from Odell High School in 1941 and attended UNL. Helen taught country school from 1941 to 1943 at Banner County School District 7 near Bridgeport, from 1943 to 1945 at Plainview School District 78 north of Odell and from 1945 to 1948 at Friendship School District 98 north of Odell. While in her first year of teaching, Helen got lost in a blinding snowstorm while walking to school in Banner County in western Nebraska on March 17th. At the time, her annual salary for 9 months was $675 or $75 per month where she paid $25 per month room and board and felt she was really wealthy. Helen married George Vetrovsky on May 28, 1948 at the First Christian Church in Beatrice. She started working at Southern Elementary as a Teacher’s Aide in 1969 and a year later, served as the Southern Elementary Library Aide until 1994. Helen was recognized for her 25 years of service for Southern Elementary School District 1. She was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge for over 50 years. Helen was named Who’s Who in Nebraska and published in the 1976-1977 Bicentennial Edition. She was recognized for her valued contributions to the Odell community on Odell’s 125th anniversary on May 28, 2006. Helen taught bible school, Sunday school and summer school at the Church of the Brethren near Holmesville. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, Molly B’s Polka Party and most of all, her family.

Helen is survived by 3 sons, Donald and wife Verdella, Ronald and special friend Janice Martin, both of Beatrice, Larry of Holmesville; grandchildren, Lisa Riha and husband Jeff, Staci Bettiker and husband Brian, Brandon Vetrovsky and wife Shannon, Dustin Vetrovsky and special friend Loni Hughes, Joe Vetrovsky and wife Gina, Ben Vetrovsky and wife Laura, Megan Vetrovsky and special friend Luke Edwards; great grandchildren, Kameron and Karlee Riha, Jaxon and Mason Bettiker, Harrison and Ryann Vetrovsky, Brennyn Hughes, Azalynn Vetrovsky; brother, George Pavlik; sisters, Ella Klaus, both of Beatrice, Evelyn McKeever of Wymore; sister-in-law, Erma Ruhl and husband Dale of Lincoln; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Joseph and Henrietta Vetrovsky; husband, George on April 28, 2009; brother, Ed Pavlik; brothers-in-law, Everett Klaus, Robert “Bob” McKeever; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Pavlik and Maureen Pavlik.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Church of the Brethren near Holmesville with John Snyder officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. A prayer service will be held at 10:15 AM Friday in the church basement. Visitation will be held from noon to 8 PM with family greeting friends from 6 to 7 PM Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice in care of the mortuary. Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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