Helen E. Koke

Helen E. Koke, 86, of Gering, NE, formerly of Morton, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2018 at Heritage Estates in Gering, NE. Helen was born Aug. 13, 1931, in Easton, to Henry M. and Lucy A. (Whitehead) Pfeiffer. She married Roger H. Koke on Oct. 2, 1955 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka. He preceded her in death on Sept. 29, 1998. She is survived by two sons, Bruce (Karen) Koke of Savage, MN, and Gary (Karen) Koke of Minatare, NE; five grandsons, Adam (Adrianna) Koke of Minatare, NE, Bryce (Sandra) Koke of Champlain, MN, Justin (Jontae) Koke of Bayard, Neb., Ben (Kierra) Koke of Edina, MN, and Tyler Koke of Minatare, NE; and four great grandchildren, Jaxton, Oaklon, Coralee, and Devon Koke. She is also survived by her niece, Lauri (Jerry) Rizzo and nephew, Jon (Jane) Oye. Helen was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Robert Oye. Helen spent her life as a homemaker and caregiver for her family and friends. Her family was her greatest joy and was most thankful for them. She was a faithful member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, where she was actively involved in LWML and also enjoyed volunteering for the church and school. Helen enjoyed taking trips; she especially enjoyed traveling to Western Nebraska and Minnesota to visit her grandchildren. Helen will be remembered as a compassionate, giving and loving woman, who always put others before herself. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11:15 a.m., Friday, June 22, 2018 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, with a funeral service immediately following at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Jeff Anderson will officiate. A graveside service will also take place on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Easton Cemetery in Easton. Memorial donations may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton. Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling service arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnson.com.