Marie Gesina Jones passed away on March 22, 2020 at Cove House in Lincoln, NE after a brief illness. She was 101 years and 8 months old. She will be missed by her family, but fondly remembered as a giving servant to God’s people, faithful in her thoughts and actions, and dutiful to her Lord’s work in this world. We are glad she has gone home to her Savior, and is reunited with loved ones who have passed before her.

She was born on July 23, 1918 to Gerd and Grace Helmrichs. She grew up on a family farm in the Wymore area. Her parents were from Germany, so German was spoken at home. Her older brother helped to teach her English, and once she started school she became more proficient. Their father decided the family would no longer speak German in their home, once all the children started attending school, so they could learn to speak English fluently. She attended country school and graduated from Wymore High School in 1935.

As part of her public school education, she received a Normal Training Certificate upon graduation. This certificate enabled her to teach in rural schools. She spent her first 10 years of teaching in a German community NE of Beatrice. Her monthly salary was $40 a month and paid $12 for room and board. Often, the Kindergarten students came to school with no knowledge of the English language. Due to her German upbringing, she was able to teach them English in order to continue their studies.

Every summer, Marie worked toward her degree, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Peru State College. Her teaching career spanned 41 years with 30 of those years with the Wymore Public School System. She spent her first 10 years teaching in the German country school, taught one year in the Filley School system, and then due to her degree was able to teach in the Wymore school system. She worked 7 of those years in the Holmesville building. She taught mostly 5th and 6th grades throughout her teaching career. Marie retired in 1976 due to Kenneth’s health. She still has students who remember her as their elementary grade teacher.

She was a member of Emmanuel State Line Lutheran Church for 40 years. On January 29, 1960 she married Kenneth Robert Jones Sr., and together they became Charter Members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wymore. Marie served on the Church Council, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. As an avid quilter, she helped sew more than 800 quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She was a regular church attender and a member of Dorcus Circle and the Primetimers at Our Savior’s.

She belonged to the Beatrice Area Retired Teachers Association and the Heritage Homemaker’s Club.  Marie served on the Advisory Board for the Good Samaritan Center of Wymore, where she also volunteered many hours to the home and its residents. She gave of her time and talents to the Wymore Public Library for over 25 years.

Marie moved to The Villa at Flowing Springs in Beatrice in 2002. She loved the fellowship she had with the residents there and regularly helped to make sure everyone was taken care of in the dining room. She enjoyed playing games in the evening with her neighbors.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth in 1981, her brother John Helmrichs and sister Hilka Rippe. She is survived by step-son Kenneth Jones Jr. and wife Mary Alice Hotz Jones of Lincoln, NE, nieces Lois (Marvin) Zimmerman of Plymouth, NE, Judy (Bill) Lillie of Beatrice, NE, Erna Johnson of Spring, Texas and nephew Willard Rippe of Ashland, NE. Marie has four grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren, several great grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wymore with Pastor Suzanne How officiating. Burial of ashes will take place prior to the service at the Blue Springs Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wymore. Sign Marie’s online register book at www.ghchapel.com.

These services have been entrusted to the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore.