Helen I. Cram, 80 of Lyons, NE

Helen Cram

HELEN I. CRAM, 80 years, of Lyons, passed away Monday, January 6, 2014, at her home in Lyons.

It is December, 1933 and Arnold and Alice (Launsby) Nelsen have been awaiting the birth of their second child.  For a time on December 25th, they thought that this young infant was about to share the birthday of Jesus Christ…well it wasn’t to happen. They continued on with the waiting game…tomorrow, the 26th was Papa Arnold’s birthday. The sharing could still be an honor. It was not to be…but on the 27th day of December little Helen Ilene made this day hers. Her grandmamma (Bestama) Launsby was celebrating her birthday on this day also. We almost all can claim our birthday as a special day and all should accept such a special gift from our Heavenly Father with great appreciation.
My early life was pretty much run of the mill… I remember a pretty good life. I was unaware of the whole happening of the great depression. And then World War II, Pearl Harbor day December 7th was the first worldly event that I became aware of and it still holds a life shuddering effect on me. The cost in human life is devastating. And it all should be remembered by each of us and we should remember, keep it remembered by our children and their children, and show our thankfulness for all military and people in the war zones. I sure am thankful that I lived in America.
In 1946 our family moved to Lyons, NE. I thought I had gone to a city. I graduated from Lyons School District #20. This whole experience growing up in Lyons was fine – we were really poor but….we had 2 – 3 grocery stores, a Gamble Store, a clothing store, a summer roller rink which became a dance hall in the winter, two movie theatres…plenty of babysitting for ‘mad money’, and a really good school with all of its studies and extracurricular activities. Good living all in all for kids.
In 1952, I met and was courted by the guy that became my sweet heart husband in 1952. We shared 48 years together and 6 special children, 17 grandchildren and 29+ (1 due in July) great grandchildren. As time goes on there will be more and more of our descendants. What a life!!
My childhood and teen time was enhanced by our Presbyterian Church. I am thankful for that. As a family we joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints – or LDS – or Mormon. (Not a cult at all).
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, a brother, an infant daughter and her very special husband, Phil.
I am presuming that I am leaving to morn, my children, Shawnee Cram/Raymond of Estes Park, CO, and her children Mechelle and Morgan (Doug) and 5 grandchildren, Christina Wood of Hastings, NE and her children Jeremiah (Jamie) and Joselyn (Jacob) and 6 grandchildren, Brenda (Wade) Fleming of Williston, ND and their children Philip (Amanda), Austin ( Danielle), Chelsea (Curtis), Corban and Parker and 12 grandchildren, Robin (Frank) Weber of Gardner, KS and her children Wynter, Tylor, Ashleigh and Chase (Angela) and 3 grandchildren, Barbara Erin Cram and her daughter Tobi (Jeff) and 2 grandchildren, our one son, Heath (Kimberley) Cram of Lyons, NE and their children Kyrie (Chance), Phillip (Katie) and Alec (Jessica) and 1 grandchild with one due in July. I would like to name all the members in my special family but space is at a minimum. Phil’s two daughters by his first wife are not to be unmentioned here, Diana (Jerry) Case of Las Vegas, NV and their children Christian (Christine), Tracy (Adam), April, and Rhonda (Jared) and 11 grandchildren, and Vickie Heinz of Covina, CA.

All in all my whole life has been full of love and lots of activity. It has definitely been a great gift from Our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. Your life can be a special gift too. We have to take the good with the bad but keep your faith OR acquire that faith and you can have a great life too. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, January 11, 2014, 2:00 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons.

VISITATION: Friday, January 10th, 5-7 p.m. with the family receiving friends and a 7:00 p.m. PRAYER SERVICE all at the funeral home. Visitation Saturday will be held one hour prior to the service.

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery

Pelan Funeral Services
Lynn, Karen and Jim Pelan
www.pelanfuneralservices.com