Helen Joan Magee

Helen Joan (Ruppert) Magee, age 92, of McCook, died on January 31, 2025. When God whispered her name and called her to join his heavenly choir for all eternity, Helen was ready and gladly went.

Helen was born on December 16, 1932, to Jay & Doris Ruppert. She was one of seven children all born at their farm home. Helen attended Frontier District 101 rural school through the 8thgrade. She then attended the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, staying in the girls’ dorm and upon her graduation in 1950 she had her teacher’s certificate. She taught school in the St. Ann District for one year.

On August 3, 1950, she married the love of her life, Ferris Magee, in McCook, Nebraska. To this union they were blessed with five children: Darlene, Kathy, Karen, Kirk and Anita. Helen loved being a mother and took pride in all her children. Her family was her life.

Helen was devoted to her faith and sought to serve the Lord in everything she did. She was a member of the Garden Prairie Methodist Church and enjoyed bible studies, UMW and reading scripture.

During her lifetime she worked alongside Ferris on the family farm helping with whatever needed done. While on the farm, she was known to have a big garden and canning the harvest to provide for the family all year long. She also enjoyed her big flower bed, going for long drives, playing cards, being with friends, sewing, embroidery, puzzles, books, and playing games with family. When all 5 children were in school, she started working part time in McCook and over time she worked at several different stores.

In the ‘70’s Helen and Ferris joined Forever Living Aloe Vera Company, working their way up to managers. They held meetings in McCook and North Platte and distributed products to other distributors for their business until her husband’s health declined in later years.

She drew the floor plan for the house they helped build and lived in for 30 years until the house was sold when she moved into senior living.

On June 10, 2013, her beloved husband of 63 years, went to his Savior, leaving her and the family devastated and heartbroken. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Jay & Doris Ruppert, great granddaughters, Katerina Kalinski & Samantha Oxford; son-in-law Kevin Jensen; siblings, Dale, Homer, John, Robert Ruppert, Ann Rowley and Mary Zimbelman; brothers-in-law Leland, Orval and Donnie Magee, Kenneth Ruppert, Gary Trosper, Marlin Zimbelman and Cecil Rowley; sisters-in-law Gerry Magee, Leona Ruppert, Bonnie Greco

Those left to cherish her memory are her children; Darlene (Dan) Loper of McCook, NE, Kathy (David) Benson of Cambridge, NE, Karen Jensen of Imperial, NE, Kirk (Tiffany) Magee of Culbertson, NE, and Anita (Ed) Loonam of Chesapeake, VA, sisters-in-law; Shirley (Jim) Brunner of Sutherland, NE, Gen Magee of Atwood, KS, Naomi Ruppert of McCook, NE, brother-in-law; John Greco of North Platte, NE; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren and a host of many nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.

Memorials are suggested to Helen’s family to be designated at a later date. 

A public visitation with family greeting friends will be held at Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home, McCook, NE on February 6, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 PM. 

The funeral service will be at Memorial Methodist Church, McCook, NE, on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 3:00 pm, with Pastor Jeff Kelley and Pastor Jeremy LaBrie officiating.

Burial will follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook, NE.