Helen Marie Hesseltine

Helen Marie Hesseltine, 91, of Bayard, went home to be with her Lord, Friday, January 6, 2006 at Northfield Villa in Gering. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am Wednesday, January 11th, at the Church of Christ in Bayard with Minister Bill Ferrero officiating. Interment will be at the Bayard Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday, January 10th, from 9am until 8pm at Bayard Memorial Chapel. Helen came into this world on March 2, 1914 at the homestead farm of her parents, Orra and Hulda (Anderson) Parriott north and east of Bayard. Her elementary education was in District 73 near Bayard. She graduated from Bayard High School in the spring of 1931 and started teaching school that autumn. At the age of 14, Helen was baptized into Christ and faithfully served her Lord. She taught Bible School classes for 34 years plus many more lessons in different church activities. Married life for her began December 26, 1931 with Emery Hesseltine when their ceremony was performed in Gering. In 1938 their son Ronald arrived. She had a furlough from teaching while Ronald was growing up. Helen continued to teach in the rural district 73, 50 and 58 schools for 12 years. She then moved into the Bayard Elementary School for 23 more years in the second grade. During this time she continued to take classes at the Junior College in Scottsbluff and graduated from Chadron State College. Helen believed that “Teaching is to touch a life forever”. Retirement from teaching came in 1969 and then she could concentrate on her many hobbies; substitute teaching for a few years, visiting grandchildren and taking scenic trips, quilting, crocheting, doll making and reading. At the age of 82, she moved from Bayard to her retirement home in Gering. She is survived by her grandchildren, Len (Diane) Hesseltine of Spring, TX, Greg (Portia) Hesseltine of Morrison, CO, Scott (Lisa) Hesseltine of Lubbock, TX, Michelle Hesseltine of Evans, CO; eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends. Her parents, husband, son Ronald and daughter-in-law Sandra, three sisters and one brother preceded her in death.