Helen Lucile Bley

Helen Lucile Bley (Westlake) passed away on December 14, 2025 in Sun City, Arizona. She was born on January 3, 1948, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Raised on a farm, Helen developed a lifelong love for country living. She graduated from Eagle High School in Eagle, Nebraska, in 1966 and entered the workforce shortly thereafter. Helen worked as Head of Payroll at Russell Stover Candies in Lincoln, Nebraska, until the facility closed. She later spent 20 years with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska, retiring in 2013. Helen was known for her patience and clarity and had a remarkable ability to explain insurance matters, always taking the time to ensure others felt informed and supported.

Helen lived by a belief she practiced daily: the world is full of positive and negative people, and she always chose to be positive. That outlook shaped her relationships, her work, and her approach to life.

Helen and Donald shared ownership of an acreage for more than 47 years, a place that reflected her love of the land. Her hobbies were always centered around family and friends. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and daughter, and her love of fishing took her from local creeks in her younger years to an unforgettable trip to Alaska with Donald. Each summer, Helen found joy and pride in tending her garden in Nebraska and canning the vegetables. She was happiest in her kitchen-canning, baking, preparing homemade meals, and teaching her daughter the skills her own mother had once taught her.

Her dream after retiring was to have a winter second home in a warmer climate, and she accomplished that goal for 12 years in Sun City, Arizona. Helen always wanted to help, once retired she was a member of Waverly Kiwanis. She was also a member of Camp Creek in Waverly. She was a member of the Waverly First United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Lucile Westlake, and her brother, Gene Westlake.

Helen is survived by her devoted husband of 51 years, Donald; her daughter, Deb Bley (Renee Coffey) of Omaha, Nebraska; her sister-in-law, Barb Westlake of Lincoln, Nebraska; and her nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she held close to her heart.

Memorial services will be held at a later date, in Waverly, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen's name to the Waverly Nebraska Kiwanis, please reach out to the family for details on donating or Waverly Nebraska First United Methodist Church, 14410 Folkestone St, Waverly, NE 68462.