Helen Rutz

Helen Dunn Rutz age 97, of Arnold, NE passed away Friday, July 9, 2021, at the Brookestone View of Broken Bow, NE.

A Graveside service will be Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 1:00 pm at the Arnold Cemetery in Arnold, NE. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow/Arnold/Mullen are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com. 

Helen was born August 16, 1923, in Edmonton Alberta, Canada to Edwin and Emma (Gladam) Burrell.  At the age of 2 Helen’s family moved to Omaha, NE.  Her mother died when she was 2 and her father died when she was 12.  After she graduated from High School Helen moved to California to live with an aunt.  Helen loved California.  She spent several years there before returning to Omaha.  Helen met Joe “Bud” Dunn.  To this union 2 children were born.  The family moved to Arnold, where Bud had grown up.  Helen’s 8-year-old stepson Joseph E. joined the family.  Bud died in 1973.

On August 7, 1977, Helen married Willie Rutz, and they made their home in Gothenburg.  Willie died in 1989.  Helen returned to Arnold and lived at the Riverview Apartments for twelve and a half years before moving to the Brookstone View in Broken Bow. 

Helen is survived by her daughter Diane (Mo) Sanford of Arnold, a brother Ed (Barbara) Burrell of Stoddard, WI, sister-in-law Carrol Burrell of Omaha, NE, grandchildren; Hether Dunn (Mike Wonsiewicz), Caitlyn (T.J.) Cannan, Evan (Soojung) Dunn, Jennifer Dunn, Jeff (Stephanie) Dunn, Blake (Sybil) Sanford, Clint (Michelle) Sanford, Shelly (Mike) Millo, Kim Eastburn (David Bickford), Eric Sanford, Jennie (Randy) Bunner,  23 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren, step children; Rodger Rutz, Willie (Jodi Ashker) Rutz and Cindy (Dean) Titteringeon, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and sisters-in-laws; Robert and Carolyn Burrell, Kenneth Burrell, Dave and Joyce Burrell, Martin Burrell, sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lu and George Bronson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marion and Dr. Ted Koefoot, sons; John Michael “Mike” Dunn and Joseph E Dunn, grandsons; Jimmy Dunn, Joey Dunn, and Andrew Dunn, Great grandson Jacob Sanford, and great granddaughter Alison Sanford.