Orpha J. 
Helfrich
Jan 4, 1924 – Feb 7, 2017
SERVICES Friday, Feb. 10th at 2pm at the Bel Air Chapel, followed by visitation with the family. Interment in Madison, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to Historic Presbyterian Center in Madison, NE.
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Orpha Jean (Test) Helfrich, age 93, of Omaha, Nebraska, died on Tuesday February 7, 2017. She was born on January 4, 1924, in Madison, Nebraska, to Henry and Anna (Buettner) Test. She married Wayne Helfrich on December 26, 1942, in San Diego, California. After Wayne’s military service, they lived in Madison, Nebraska, Tillamook, Oregon, Valley and Creston, Nebraska before moving to Columbus. Orpha was the Assistant Manager at The Green Stamp Store in Columbus and also worked at Jack and Jill Grocery Store. When Wayne was transferred to North Platte in 1974, she worked at Westfield Pharmacy. After her husband’s death in 1983, Orpha moved to Omaha and remained in her own home until her passing.
Throughout the years, Orpha took great pleasure in her family and enjoyed a wide circle of friends. Nobody was a stranger for long, and once she met you, Orpha always remembered you and the details of how you met. She kept up on news events, popular culture, and many sports. Her uncanny memory of past events and family history kept those around her greatly entertained. For many years, she enjoyed camping with family and traveling with friends, a bit of bingo and casino gambling, challenging jigsaw puzzles, and corresponding via handwritten letters with friends. Her family and friends will miss her sense of humor and her gift of storytelling.
Orpha is survived by her son, Jim Helfrich of Omaha; her daughter, Susan Danielson (David) of Omaha; grandchildren: Amy Weir of Omaha, Rick Helfrich (Mindy) of Bennington, Jahna Yamagishi (Kevin) of Denver, and Tom Danielson (Kim) of Omaha; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lo Gene Test of Bella Vista, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Anna Test; husband, Wayne; brother, Homer; sister, Shirley Test.
17 Comments
Jim and Susan: I am so sorry to hear about your Mother. Mamo will be greatly missed
We are so sorry to hear about you Mom’s passing, She was such a honey and I picture her with a smile on her face.
Sue and Dave Jahna and Tom, so sorry to hear about Aunt Orpha, such a loving person , headed home with Grandpa Homer aunt Shirley nd Mammo Anna. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all❤ love Tara and family.
Sending hugs and much love at this time of loss!! She was such a special lady!! She will be missed!!
So very sorry to hear about your mother’s passing, she was a neat lady, such fun to visit with her. Our sympathy to your whole family. —Don & Katie
Susan and Jim and all your family, I’m just heartbroken to hear of the loss of your Mom, my sweet Aunt Orpha. She was such a special person and will always hold a very special place in my heart. With Lots of Love and my Deepest Sympathy, Pam
Pam. Let me know if this comes through
Sue and family, my deepest condolences to you at the loss of your mother. Weren’t we just eating lunch at Lazlos last month talking about our mothers! My mother past away this past Saturday, the 4th, in Columbus so perhaps they will recognize each other from our days of growing up in Columbus together. God’s blessings to you.
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Such great memories and a lot of laughter will always be us from our neighbor next door. She will truly be missed. My thoughts are with you my friends.
So sorry to hear of Orpha’s passing. She was a Great Sister -in-Law. Will miss our phone conversations. Just talked to hear about a week ago.
What a Super Aunt I will always have fond memories of the things we did together. My prayers with ya’ll for time and comfort
Even though I moved out of Orpha’s neighborhood in October, I can still vision her sitting on the little chair on her porch waving and saying “hi” to me. She was a wonderful, sweet, caring lady. She will be missed by many.
May God Bless your family in this time of sorrow. Losing a mother is so hard. Know that she is with God. Phyllis
Susan, Jim and your families, Sorry to hear about your Mothers passing !
Susan and Jim, my deepest sympathy to all of the families in the loss of your Mother. I still have memories of her back in the day in Columbus.
Sorry for the loss of your mom. Remember she will always be with you.
Jim and Susan and families just know I pray fond memories of your Mom will bring you strength and peace. Heaven has a new angel.
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