Helen E. Arens

Helen E. (Pavelka) Arens, age 88 of Omaha and formerly of Hartington, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at the Emerald Nursing Home in Omaha, NE. She was the daughter of Charles and Emma (Dufek) Pavelka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church in Bow Valley, Nebraska with the Rev. Eliot Schwer officiating. Burial will be at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Bow Valley. Visitation will be on Sunday, at church, from 3- 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Thoene, Nathan Arens, Owen Eckmann, Jackson Arens, Landon Clark, and Wyatt Clark. Honorary pallbearers will be Helen’s grandchildren; honorary pallbearers will be her great grandchildren.

Helen was born on March 11, 1938, in Verdigre, NE. She grew up in Verdigre and attended Verdigre School. Helen married Damian D. Arens on April 15, 1956, in Verdigre. Together they shared 43 wonderful years and raised eight children. They lived in the Crofton area from 1956-1961. Then they moved to the Bow Valley, where they lived and farmed. Helen was a homemaker, gardener, and caregiver all of her life.

Helen was known for her warmth and compassion, quick wit, positive attitude, and was a great listener. Her family was the most important aspect in her life and she loved spending time with them. She was often seen working on the farm with her children beside her, as a testament of her dedication to her children and the family farm. She loved milking cows and instilled her hard work ethic in her children. She was known for having a green thumb and for her love for gardening and canning. Helen had a great love for animals, tame and wild. Helen was the best cook/baker and taught her daughters well. Helen was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley and The Christian Mothers.

Helen is survived by her daughter Joan Arens, Omaha, and her beloved grand-dog Cookie; daughter-in-law, Mary Lynn Arens, Hartington; sons-in-law Danny Heimes, Hartington, Dan Thoene, Fordyce, and Greg Johnson, Verdigre; Grandchildren: Teresa (Tess) Eckmann and Justin Prevo, Mandy (Michael) Clark, Nathan (Maddie) Arens, Jennifer (Tom) Kobza, Jessica (Matt) Peddie, Jonathan Heimes and Tyler Olsen, Bryan (Jonelle) Thoene, and Brenda Thoene and great grand kitties Paddington and Diego. In-laws: Donna Rogers, Janita Uhing, Ruth Arens, Delores and Chuck Arens, Dennis Arens, fourteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Charles and Emma (Dufek); husband, Damian Arens; children, Charles Arens, Donna Heimes, Norma Thoene, Bette Hamilton, Delores Johnson, Ronald Arens, and Roger Arens; grandchildren, Heather and Christopher Heimes; great grandchild, Janet Eckmann; brothers and sisters-in-law: Clara and Alfred Fuchtman, Clarence and Mary Ann Pavelka, Emily and Richard Bollin, Alvin and Janet Pavelka, Elmer Pavelka, and Marvin and Delores Pavelka. Parents-in-law Anthony (TJ) and Margaret Arens, in-laws Jerome and Rita Arens, Lorraine and Anthony Schmidt, Evelyn and Emery Koch, Gerald and Lucille Arens, Bobby Uhing, Mary Frances Arens, and Kenneth Arens.

In lieu of flowers, the family will direct the memorials. Please join the family by wearing bright and/or floral patterns for the services to honor Helen’s fondness of flowers and gardening.