Helen Mak

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Helen Rosetta Mak on October 29, 2024 peacefully at Gothenburg Health in Gothenburg, Nebraska. She will always be known as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Helen was born to Harold and Barbara (Nelson) Hood, on March 14, 1930, in Tobias, Nebraska. She spent her formative years growing up in Cozad, Nebraska where she attended Cozad Public Schools and graduated from Cozad High School. After high school she married Louis Mak from Eustis and to this union was born three children, Lynn, Dan, and Barb. The family moved to the Quad Cities in Iowa in 1958 and lived in Davenport until they moved to Bettendorf in 1964.

During her time in Iowa, Helen worked as a successful representative for Sarah Coventry Jewelry then Tara Fifth Avenue. While working she maintained being a mother and also attended Marycrest College where she earned her Elementary Education Degree. She then worked as a fifth grade teacher at Madison Elementary

School in Davenport until they moved back to Nebraska. While working as a teacher she attended the University of Iowa pursuing her Master’s Degree in Counseling.

After moving back to Nebraska, Helen and Louis bought the bowling center. Both of them worked very hard to build up members and Lakeside Bowl became a successful business. Helen, always having an interest and staying involved with young people, built the youth bowling program to over 100 youth members on bowling leagues. She loved teaching people how to bowl and her success in this was shown by becoming a state bowling instructor where she taught people how to coach bowlers. She was inducted into the Nebraska Bowling Hall of Fame with her work in the Nebraska Young American Bowling Alliance. While still owning the

bowling center, Helen began selling Avon products and was very successful in the this venture also. She won various awards for being the top representative and having the most Avon recruits.

In her free time, Helen enjoyed a variety of activities throughout her life. These included bowling, reading, cooking/baking, crocheting, visiting historic places, solving puzzles and many more. Helen is survived by her loving family. Son: Daniel (Sylvia) Mak, Casa Grande, AZ, daughter: Barb (Bob) Hicken, Gothenburg, NE, son-in-law: Joe Lohrman, Osceola, NE, beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members 

Preceding Helen in death are her loving husband, Louis, her daughter, Lynn Lohrman, her grandson, Colby Hicken, her parents, Harold and Barbara Hood, and many other family members and friends.

Memorial Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1401 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, NE, Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 am with Pastor Grace Gichuru officiating, followed by a luncheon. The inurnment will be at 2:00 PM at Fort McPherson, Maxwell, NE, where she will be laid to rest with her one love, Louis.

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church.

Helen will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her diverse interests, professional accomplishments, and dedication to her family leave behind a legacy of love and inspiration. 

Live Stream will be on the Gothenburg First United Methodist Church Facebook page