Helen Marie Kosmicki Berry passed away peacefully at her home south of Chadron on Monday January 20, 2020. Helen was loved by everyone for her playful sense of humor, open-mindedness, curiosity and empathy. She treasured family as a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife and mother. Helen adored animals, especially big dogs. She was passionate about gardening, reading, antiques, Native American jewelry and art, and gourmet food. Helen will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Helen was born January 29, 1940 in Alliance, Nebraska to Leonard and Lillian Kosmicki and grew up on the family farm. A local beauty, Helen was crowned as the Box Butte Country Wheat Queen in 1956. She graduated Alliance High School in 1957 and married John P. McCarthy. They had two children, Cionne and Shane. Following divorce from her first marriage in 1972, Helen married Jerry L. Berry in 1977. They made their life on the Berry farm near Chadron.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Nick Kosmicki of Greeley, Colorado and George Kosmicki of Martin, South Dakota. She is survived by husband Jerry, children Cionne McCarthy of Scottsdale, Arizona, Shane McCarthy of Bali, Indonesia, Lisa Berry of Aurora, Colorado, Leevern Berry of Chadron, and Eileen Berry Lay of Louisville, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Valeria Cruz of Los Angeles, California, McKenna Jones of Chadron, Jaden Jones of Louisville, Trevor and Broc Berry of Chadron; one brother John Kosmicki and wife Susan of Windsor, Colorado; and numerous nieces, nephews, Godchildren, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Chamberlain’s Chapel, 1700 Highway 20, Chadron, Nebraska. Family and friends are invited to join Helen’s family at The Country Kitchen in Chadron for lunch after the service.
Those preferring to make a donation in lieu of flowers may do so by check to “Friends of Pets” or “Chadron City Library.” noting on the check memo line “In memory of Helen Berry”. Please mail checks to Chamberlain Chapel, Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.