Verna (Helmbrecht) Williams
Verna was born on Christmas Eve 1924, to Wilbur and Ruth Helmbrecht in Beloit, Kansas; she was the fourth of five children. She had three brothers Galen, Arlen, Jim and a sister Vanita. She went on to pursue her passion for music in California where she sang and danced in USO clubs during WWII. After visiting her father at the Gould Mines in Montana she met the love of her life Pete Williams. Pete and Verna were married in September of 1948. They started their wonderful life on 9TH Avenue in Helena, Mt. Pete and Verna raised their two children Beth and Gary at this home, a long side wonderful neighbors.
Verna’s, also known to many as Granny, greatest joy in the world was her family. She always spoke about how blessed she was to have such wonderful love in her life. This was something she spoke about a lot of in her last weeks. Verna spoke a lot about her cousin Charlene. They may have been cousins but felt more like sisters. The two spent their childhood and teen year’s together and always found happiness in one another. She also talked a lot about her extended family, her wonderful friends the Sweet Adelines. Verna was one of the co-creators of the Helena Sweet Adelines and took much pride and joy in being a part of this.
Together Pete and Verna built the family legacy in Lincoln. This place was and is a place the family treasures. Granny talked a lot about all of the happy times we shared there. This place that was built by the two of them as brought much happiness and joy to the entire family.
Verna is preceded in death by her husband Pete, parents, brother’s Galen and Arlen, sister Vanita and companion of recent years Warren Gresh.
Verna is survived by, daughter Beth (Steve) Tjaden, son Gary Williams. Grandchildren, Heath (Monica) Buckley, Scott (Melissa) Buckley, Gina Christman (Gabe Travis), RyAnn Christman (Harlan Erskine), Cassie (Don) Scott, Tami (Chuck) Gunlock, Chad (Jeanene) Tjaden. Great-Grandchildren, Caitlyn Scott, Cody Fiske, Jayde Annau, Kyle Scott , Casey Buckley, Alannah Erskine, Cody Maykuth, Lindsey Buckley, Taylor Mix, Alex Gunlock, Aubrie Christman, Kyler Buckley, Brooke Buckley, Cameron Erskine, Keira Buckley, Wyatt Travis. Brother Jim. Nephew’s Wayne, Jim, George.
A memorial service honoring Verna is scheduled for Tuesday March 20th at eleven o’clock at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Chapel. A reception following the service in the banquet hall. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Gardens. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Verna, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Wayne Gresh says
Beth, Gary, and all your family. I am sorry for your loss but, happy Verna had you in her final days. I will miss all the stories of Kansas and California that she told me. She was full of life and always had a smile. You know that she is looking down on all of us right now. Wayne and Sandy Gresh
Linda Hall Jacquez says
Dear Beth and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I remember well one slumber party you had; your Mom was such a champion after we all had our little party. God Bless.
George Helmbrecht says
My dear aunt Verna you never spoke a hard word never forgot us boys.The times we shared at the cabin as little guys then growing up and hunting with everyone.You may of left the earth and now you can visit with everyone up there.Tell them we miss and love you all My aunt Verna a class act.sing on.Love George
Mike Gresh says
Thank you for being such a good friend of my Dad. Your kindness & gentle nature were some of your outstanding qualities – May God Bless.
Tami Quinn says
Verna and I worked side by side answering the switchboard in the City/County Building… She was sure proud of Beth and Gary. She always had soft, kind words to say.. and good advice too! What a great lady! Tami
Sue Hart says
Beth Steve and Family,
I am sorry for your loss of your Mother Verna. My heat goes out to all of you.
Joan Scott says
The world has lost a very talented and kind person. She had such a sweet and loving presence. Her bass notes were the best! She will be missed!
Jerry and Jane says
Beth and Steve and family – our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Verna was such a sweet and caring person – she will be missed by all of those that had the good fortune to meet her. Our sincere condolences.
Sue Clark-Jones says
Verna will be greatly missed and please accept my heartfelt sympathy to her family. I had the wonderful opportunity to know and love Verna through music. She was a wonderful inspiration to me in all of our Sweet Adelines activities and I learned so very much from her. God’s peace be with you all during this time of sorrow.
Chad, Jeanene, Jayde & Sydnee Tjaden says
Having Grandma Verna in our lives is such a blessing that will linger forever. She will be loved forever as she had loved her family with all her being. She was one of the purest ladies I have ever known. Rest in peace Grandma Verna, Love you, Chad, Jeanene, Sydnee & Jayde
Elaine Myles says
I met Verna when she worked at the City-County Building as a switchboard operator for the County. I also worked in the building and always looked forward to visiting with Verna when I could. She had such a kind and gentle spirit. She loved her family and was proud of them all, just because God had given them to her to enjoy and mentor. She considered each one a blessing and a gift. What a great lady. When she smiled her whole face smiled. My prayers are with all of her family.
Dave and Pat Fish says
We are so sorry for your loss… It was such a pleasure to see Verna and Warren for our dinners together. She always had a fun story to tell about her childhood, the wonderful times she shared with her loving family, and her great friends in Sweet Adelines.
We will miss her beautiful smile!!
Blessings,
Dave and Pat Fish
Marlene & Larry Petersen says
Dear Beth & Gary,
I’m so happy to have known your Mom for all these many years as we sang our way to a lasting friendship & memories to last a lifetime – our quartet ‘gigs’ & weekly practices on 5th St., traveling to compete, numerous S.A. shows & afterglows….she was a dear, sweet person that everyone loved and physically beautiful as well – I can just see her at those USO halls – WOW!
You were truly blessed to have her for a mother and Larry and I were likewise blessed with her friendship. She will be missed.
As ever,
Marlene & Larry Petersen
Linda Wulf says
I’ve sung in Sweet Adelines with Verna for so many years, and she was an inspiration to us all. She will be truly missed. I am so sorry that I’m out of state and will not be there to “sing with the choir” but my thoughts will be there. I hope all of the wonderful memories I know you all have will help you in this time of sorrow.