Helen Joyce Lueken

Funeral Services for Helen Lueken, age 83, of Lynch will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the Assumption BVM Catholic Church in Lynch with burial to follow in the Assumption BVM Catholic Cemetery in Lynch. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Assumption BVM Catholic Church in Lynch with a Time of Sharing at 7 pm. Helen passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Accura Healthcare in O'Neill. Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer. Helen Joyce Halstead was born on May 1, 1942 to Harold and Edith "Opal" (Mellor) Halstead in Lynch, Nebraska. She was the middle child of the five Halstead children. Helen grew up and attended school in Lynch. One of her proudest achievements while in school, Helen won the Holt County Spelling Bee Championship. She graduated from Lynch High School in 1959. After high school she met and married Donald "Kim" Lueken on December 2,1961 at the Assumption BVM Catholic Church in Lynch. To this union four children were born: Tracy, Patty, Mike, and Tina. The couple bought and owned Lueken's Grocery in Lynch from the early 1970's until the late 1980's. Shortly after selling the grocery store, she began taking foster children. One of the first children that Helen got to take care of was Emily. She came along at the age of 2 and was nonverbal. Emily passed away at the age of six years old. Emily was one of Helen's greatest joys and her loss was one of her deepest sorrows. Robin Fife and Lisa Eilers later became part of the family through the foster system. Helen fostered over 125 children over the years and she retired when she moved into the Evergreen in O'Neill. Helen was a member of the Assumption BVM Catholic Church Altar Society and a member of the card club. She always enjoyed a good cup of coffee, baking, dancing, and bowling. Helen liked to travel when she could, taking a couple of bus tours and even an Alaskan Cruise with her family. One of her greatest joys was following her kids and grandkids activities. She always loved spending time with them. Helen is survived by her four children, Tracy (Rex) Stahlecker of Norfolk, Patty (Patrick) Chohon of O'Neill, Mike (Abby) Lueken of Pierce, Tina (Andy) Dougherty of O'Neill; special daughters, Lisa (Josh) Eilers of Crofton, Robin Fife of Norfolk; 14 grandchildren, Angela (Nathan) Wortman, Trevor (Jennifer) Stahlecker, Tyson (Tara) Chohon, Aaron (Emily) Chohon, Riley (Kelcy) Chohon, Kayla (Kyle) Zautke, Kelly (Jackie) Lueken, Bailee Dougherty, Alexa Dougherty, Lukas Dougherty, Logan Dougherty, Abbie Eilers, Jayden Eilers, Maddie Eilers; 18 great grandchildren; sister, Alice Marx of Norfolk; brother, Bill Halstead of Lynch; brother-in-law, Rex Carson of Lynch; sister-in-law, Janice Halstead of Bloomfield; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kim Lueken in 2001; daughter, Emily Lueken in 1994; granddaughter, Kimmera Stahlecker; sister, Doris Carson; brother, Larry Halstead.