Helena Nellie (Opitz) Brewer

Helena Nellie Opitz Brewer (Helen) was born May 23, 1926, in Lookeba, Oklahoma to Paul and Lina Opitz. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on November 10, 1940, in Hinton, Oklahoma at St. John’s Lutheran Church by Pastor Guebert. After graduating from Lookeba High School, she worked at a local bank until she married John Brewer on January 18, 1947. Three sons were born to this union.

She helped John save money to build and own their own grocery store in Gotebo, Oklahoma in 1962 (named Brewer’s Grocery). The family operated the grocery store until 1988 when John and Helen retired. After retirement, they moved to Broken Arrow, OK, traveled and spent time visiting family.

While living in Gotebo, the family was active in the life and ministry of 1st American Lutheran Church in Hobart. After retirement, Helen and John were active at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Broken Arrow, OK and Fellowship Lutheran Church in Tulsa, OK.

At the time of Johns death, they had just celebrated 66 years of married life. When Helen’s health started failing, she moved to Fort Smith, AR.

Helen passed from this life at the age of 99 years (just shy of 100) on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Methodist Village Senior Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Helen was very quick witted and enjoyed newspaper comics as well as jokes in general. She had an infectious smile and loved to laugh.

She is survived by her two sons: Don Brewer and wife Gail, Ft. Smith, AR and Paul Brewer and wife Shana, Rogers, AR, six grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, son Phillip Keith, brothers Otto, Walter, Rudy, Gerhart (Chick), and sister Margaret (Blood).

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Gotebo Cemetery in Gotebo, OK. Arrangements are under the direction of Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home of Hobart, OK.

May the Lord grant us grace and comfort.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Oaks Indian Mission (www.oaksindianmission.org). This mission provides a faith-based and nurturing environment for children and other vulnerable people to thrive within their communities.