Catherine Harriet Hill

Catherine Hill

Funeral liturgy for Catherine "Harriet" Hill, age 83, was held June 14, at St. James Catholic Church in Douglas, with Father Andrew Duncan officiating. Interment was at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Harrison, Neb.

Mrs. Hill died June 10, 1999, at Michael Manor in Douglas, after a year long battle with cancer.

Catherine Harriett Helmes was born January 18, 1916, in St. Louis, Mo., the second of two children born to Harry and Amanda (Meier) Helmes. She was reared and educated in St. Louis.

She attended Holy Rosary School, then Holy Name, graduating from the 8th grade in 1930. She attended Rosati Kain High School for one year, but due to the depression and her father's death, she was unable to continue. She took a job keeping house for a family for $20 a month.

In 1934, an uncle in Wyoming wrote to her mother to come to the homestead, as both their parents had passed away and he was alone. Selling their possessions, her mother bought a four wheel trailer, loaded what wasn't sold on it, and Harriet drove the car and pulled the trailer from St. Louis to Wyoming.

Due to severe drought and bad years on the ranch, the uncle was unable to pay them any wages. Needing some income, her mother moved into Lusk to work; she didn't like farm life anyway. Harriet stayed on, to keep house for her uncle and work outside as time permitted.

Her wages were one heifer calf per year, and room and board. She gradually built up a small herd of cattle. As her herd grew, they need more pasture, so she leased a larger place. The homestead was sold and a larger place was purchased.

She married Clyde Hill, Sept. 29, 1947, in Lusk. To this union three sons were born, James Clyde, Robert Eugene, and Dennis Michael. Survivors include two sons, six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, six step-great grandchildren and her many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clyde in 1984; son Dennis in 1987; sister Sister Mary Felice Helmes; and one granddaughter, Katherine Hill.

Serving as pallbearers were Bud Hill, Tom Hill, David Hill, Chuck Hill, Richard DeHaven, Dale DeHaven, Jerry Jaworski and Jess Hill.

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