Helen Mae Wills, age 98, of Potter, NE, passed away in Bridgeport, NE on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 9, 2024 at Gehrig-Stitt Chapel in Sidney, NE with Pastor Kyle Larson officiating.  Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.  Cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing.  Inurnment will follow at the Potter Cemetery.  Light refreshments will follow at the Potter Youth Center in Potter, NE.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Thursday, February 8th from 1-6:00 P.M. to leave condolences for the family.  You may view Helen’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.   

      Memorials can be sent to Camp Rock of Redington, NE or Gideons International.      

     Helen Mae Wills was born on May 20, 1925 on a farm north of Potter, NE to Harvey Fisher and Nellie (Juhl) Fisher.  Helen graduated from Sidney High School in 1942.

     Helen married her childhood neighbor, Elmer Wills, in 1944, after he returned on furlough from fighting in WWII. After the war they moved back to Nebraska to farm near family.  Their daughter, Janet, was born in 1946.  When Janet was only 6 years old she became very ill, and she passed away when she was only 7.  Janet’s strong faith in Jesus helped her parents to come to trust in Him.  As a result of this faith, Elmer and Helen were involved in many Christian ministries over the years while they continued to farm.  Years later they were blessed with 2 sons, Jonathan and David.

     In 1999 her husband, Elmer, passed away.  Helen continued to live on the farm and stayed busy keeping up the farmhouse, caring for her many farm cats, writing numerous letters, spending hours in prayer, and connecting with her friends and family over the phone. She lived on the farm until the Summer of 2023, when, at the age of 98, she moved to the Skyview Nursing Home in Bridgeport.  She lived there until she died January 30th, 2024 due to complications from COVID.

     Preceding her in death were 2 of her children (her son Jonathan passed away in 2004), her husband, her parents, her sister Betty Dorsey, many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

     Her survivors include her son David Wills of Potter, NE, her daughter-in-law Jenny Wills of Loveland, CO, and her three grandchildren: Joshua Wills (married to Mary Wills) of Elk River, MN, Jessica Wills of Minneapolis, MN, and Jon Wills (married to Bailey Wills) of Loveland, CO.  She is also survived by 4 great-grandsons: Harrison, Dean, Jax, and Aaron Wills. Two of her cousins survive her: Phyllis Campbell of Oklahoma and Lyle Beaird of Wahoo, NE. She is also survived by six nephews and nieces: Marty (married to Chuck) Schmith of Iowa, Jerry Dorsey of Illinois, Ron Haggard of Grand Junction, CO, Ken Haggard of Lincoln, NE, Marilyn Nightengale of Sidney, NE, Paul Wills (married to Suzanne) of Alliance, NE, and Mike Wills (married to Marla) of Kansas City, KS.