Doris Jones of Burwell, Nebraska (formerly or Taylor) died December 27, 2022; she was 94 years old.
Doris Rea Helmkamp was born on February 29, 1928, to Amy (Roblyer) and Howard Helmkamp. She was born on her grandfather’s farm south of Almeria, Nebraska. She spent her early childhood on her grandfather’s farm and went to the Strohl school. In 1933, the family moved to Taylor for work. Her brother Raymond was born on April 25, 1935.
Doris graduated from Taylor High School on May 12, 1946. That summer, she went to Lincoln and worked. She returned and taught at West End School for the next two years. Doris married Gerald Jones on December 26, 1948, at the Pleasant Valley Church in Blaine County, Nebraska. Doris and Gerald had 4 daughters: Karolyn, Shirley, Judy, and Nancy. Doris and Gerald lived and worked on the farm until the family moved to Taylor in 1968.
Doris worked for the Loup County Public schools first with her husband as janitors. She spent the rest of her long career as the Manager and Head Cook for the hot lunch program.
Doris and Gerald enjoyed camping and had several different camper trailers through the years, but always returned to the cabin along the North Loup River in Blaine County where they hosted family and friends for summer barbeques and fall hunting trips. When not camping, Doris tended to her flower and vegetable gardens and was an avid crafter; passing on her talents by teaching her daughters and many grandchildren to sew, embroider, and quilt amongst other skills.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ray, her husband Gerald, and a son-in-law Jerry Freeman. She is survived by her four daughters and three sons-in-law Karolyn and Vic Kovanda, Shirley and Mike Stavnes, Judy and David Hood, and Nancy Freeman; ten grandchildren; and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2022 at Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery. Pastor Alan Petersen will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Taylor Historical Society or the Taylor Library.
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