HELEN OPAL NEWTON, 86 years, of Tekamah, Nebraska, formerly of Decatur, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Tekamah surrounded by her family.

Helen was born September 10, 1925, in rural Decatur, Nebraska, the daughter of Walter Calvin and Grace Alta (Young) Phelps.   She graduated from Decatur High School and Dana College.

On July 13, 1947, Helen and Alvin Leroy Newton were united in marriage in Decatur.

Helen passed down a strong work ethic to her children and grandchildren, always leading by example. Helen was a school teacher in the Golden Springs and Fairview Country Schools.  She later worked at Campbell Soup in Fremont, Burgess Hospital in Onawa, and Trues Hardware Store in Decatur.  Helen finished her working career as the postmaster in Decatur, retiring in 1987.

Although Helen retired, she never stopped being busy.  Helen was an active member of the community.  She maintained a very large flower and vegetable garden at her home in Decatur.  Her grandchildren never went home without a large bouquet of flowers for their mothers and purple feet from picking elderberries.  Helen was an avid Nebraska football fan and wouldn’t tolerate conversation during any of the games.    

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alvin LeRoy; sons, Boyd and Carl Michael Newton;brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul (Helen) Phelps, Doyle (Maxine) Phelps, Bill Phelps; brother-in-law, Jim Smith; nephew, Ted Smith.

Survivors include her six children, Cathy Sabata of Lyons, NE, Don and his wife, Ruth of Walthill, NE, Susie Boris of Omaha, NE, Phyllis Mitchell and Jaccie Uehling both of Tekamah, Craig Newton of St. Joseph, MO; thirteen grandchildren;  ten great grandchildren; sister, Phyllis Smith of Decatur; sister-in-law, Melva (Mrs. Bill) Phelps of Decatur.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, May 5, 2012, 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Decatur, Nebraska

VISITATION: Friday 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. and 7 :00 p.m. PRAYER SERVICE all at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. Visitation Saturday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur.

MEMORIALS: Decatur United Methodist Church, Burt County Relay for Life Decatur Fire and Rescue and Audubon Society.