Helen Louise Carlson, age 93, of North Platte, passed away on January 31, 2014 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg, NE. She was a devoted mother, loving grandmother, and dedicated teacher.
Helen was born on November 10, 1920 in Fremont, NE. to
parents Anna Christine (Kronberg) and Vern Alvin Hanthorne. Her family moved many times and finely settled in Omaha, NE. After
graduating from high school in Kennard, NE, Helen attended
Dana College in Blair, NE for one year and began teaching at
country schools in Washington County in 1942. She later
enrolled at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and eventually
graduated from Dana College with a bachelor's degree in
education. Several years later she graduated with a master's
degree in counseling and guidance from University of Nebraska
at Kearney, NE. Altogether Helen taught in country schools and
in North Platte for 38 years, twenty-five of those being in North
Platte Public Schools, third grade. I
She was active in many organizations in North Platte. Helen
volunteered for the American Red Cross, Buffalo Bill Museum,
and visited nursing homes with her church group. She was a
member of First Lutheran Church for 49 years.
She was a lifetime PTA member, and passed presidents of
Retired Teachers, AAUW, and LCW. She was a talented artist
and enjoyed membership in Platter Painters where she won
numerous art awards and held a one-man art show at Great
Plains Regional Medical Center. One of her paintings was chosen to hang in the Governor's mansion for a month.
In 1949, Helen was united in marriage to Stanley Fred Carlson.
To this union one child was born, Carolyn.
She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (Stu) Simmons of
Brady, NE; three grandchildren, Tiffany (Billy) Anderson of
Gilbert, AZ, Samantha (Anjan) Simmons-Pahadi of ST. Charles,
IL, and Wendy (Scott) Bartels of Gothenburg, NE; nine great

grandchildren; one great- great grandchild; two sisters,
Barbara Voss, Washington, MO and Gladys Martin of Honolulu,
HI, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; two sisters in-law; and a brother, Lloyd Hanthorne, age three; two sisters, Hazel Poirrier and Maxine Camden.
A memorial has been established at the North Platte Public
Schools Foundation to be used for scholarship monies for
future elementary teachers. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

There will be a celebration of Helen's life 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2014 at the United Methodist in Gothenburg, NE with the Rev. Dr. Jeff Thurman officiating. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Register book signing will be Thursday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.