Helen K Podraza

Helen K. (Jensen) Podraza of Columbus, passed away on September 26, 2020 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Wednesday at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with Rev. Mike Swanton celebrating the Mass.  Visitation without the family present will be on Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 pm at St. Isidore Church.  There will be a Vigil service at 7:00 pm Tuesday, also at St. Isidore Church.  Interment is in St. Patrick/Joseph Cemetery, northwest of Columbus.  The wearing of masks is encouraged and Covid restrictions on social distancing will be in place at all events.  In lieu of plants and flowers, the family encourages memorials be directed to the family or to the donor's choice

Helen was born August 2, 1940, the third oldest of 9 children, to Theodore and Alberta (Fellows) Jensen on the family ranch near Purdum, Nebraska.  Helen graduated from Dunning High School in 1958 and after graduation she moved to Omaha where she attended the Omaha School of Commerce.  Helen moved to Columbus where she worked for Bedrock Oil, Nebraska Public Power District, Duren and Associates, Platte County Ag Society, and Tessendorf and Tessendorf PC Law Firm before retiring in July 2020.

Helen met the love of her life at a dance at the Humphrey Ballroom in Humphrey, NE.  On June 2, 1962, Helen was united in marriage to Ambrose P Podraza and to this union, two children Stacey and Jeff were born.

Helen was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.  She loved spending time with her family, especially her 2 grandchildren, Jordyn and Taylor Podraza.  On the weekends, Helen would spend time helping Ambrose with "fun" activities on the farm, fixing fence, working cattle, chopping musk thistles, and running the grain auger during harvest.

Helen is survived by husband of 58 years Ambrose, daughter Stacey (Terry) Brockhaus of Humphrey, sister Lucille Beck of Des Moines, IA, sister Collene (Richard) Murphy of McCook, NE, brother Ronald (Lue) Jensen of Chadron, NE, sister Debra Carfield of Oberlin, KS, sister Diane (Steve) Lickliter of Alliance, NE, sister Jaci (Mike) Peterson of Weissert, NE, and sister-in-law Patty Glidden of Mullen, NE.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Alberta Jensen, son Jeff, grandchildren Jordyn and Taylor Podraza, brother Roland Jensen, sister Betty Day, brother-in-laws, George Day, Calvin Beck and Griff Carfield, and nephew Adrian Jensen.