Helen Mayetta Willey was born on January 16, 1925 in rural Keith County, NE., the daughter of Herman and Marie Meyer VonEitzen.

Helen attended elementary schools in Ogallala and graduated from Ogallala High School in 1943. She taught rural school south of Brule and also at District 7 south of Roscoe.

In 1945 Helen moved back to the family farm to help with the dairy. On June 23, 1946 Helen married David 'Bill' Willey at St. Pauls Lutheran Church.

The couple made their home in Ogallala and in 1952 the family moved to Keystone. For many years the Willeys went to auctions and sold antiques in their own store.

Then in 1997 Helen and Bill moved to the area of Bayside Villa on the north side of Lake McConaughy. Bill preceded Helen in death in 1998. Then in October 2003 Helen moved into Ogallala.

Her hobbies included antiques, playing cards and dominoes, and camping.

Mrs. Willey was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, son Charles Willey, brothers Arnold and Everett, and a grandson Charles Willey, Jr.

Survivors include her daughter Kathryn and her husband Tom Grafford of Keystone, son John Willey and his wife Lynn of Lincoln, and daughter-in-law Bonnie Willey of Gering. Also one sister Dorothy Ann Dickens of Westerville, OH., eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be Friday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at St. Pauls Lutheran Church with Rev. David Dobbertien officiating.

Interment in the Ogallala Cemetery. A memorial has been established to St. Pauls Lutheran Church.