Charlotte Darlene Heller

Charlotte Darlene Clayton Heller, 88, passed on June 27, 2025, in Fairbury, Nebraska, embraced by the love and care of her Lord, five daughters, Cedarwood Staff and Cottonwood Hospice staff.

Charlotte was born to Vivian LeRoy and Dora Burton Clayton on April 11, 1937. She was an only child to this union, but she eventually gained nine siblings after her parents divorced and remarried. On her father’s side, she had two sisters, Marsha Adam and Kathy Richman, and a step-brother Marvin Frizzel. On her mother’s side, she had a brother David Smith and sisters Julie Snyder and Sybil Smith, and step-siblings Don, Dudley, and Kathryn Smith.

Charlotte’s beginnings were tough, but she was determined, in spite of it all, to develop into a good person. She far exceeded that goal. She attended over twenty different schools in her lifetime and supported herself during much of her high school years. Charlotte attended school in Oklahoma, Kansas, Reynolds, Lincoln, and eventually Fairbury, where she graduated in 1955.

Charlotte’s life changed when she met Norbert Heller at a free outdoor movie in Reynolds after Norb returned from the Korean War. They married and eventually moved from Fairbury to a farm near Gilead, where they stayed for 57 years and raised five daughters. Through her marriage, Charlotte found family love, stability, and purpose. They found joy in their community and in their Christian faith. They developed lifelong friendships in their card party groups. Charlotte quit her job at the ASCS office to support her husband in farming. She continued to support the family with part-time jobs; census taker, Avon lady, O’Neal’s Grocery clerk, waitress, bookkeeper, cleaning lady, B & D Paper company, extension office, Central Market, and eventually Shelter Insurance for 18 years.

If Charlotte wasn’t taking lunch to the field, milking cows, or supporting Norb and her girls, she was off helping others. She was a coordinator for the Gilead 4-H Club, WELCA member, Bible and Sunday school teacher, Lutheran World Relief worker, Orphan Grain Train volunteer, Blue Valley Foundation Board member, Region Five guardian, Meals on Wheels volunteer, and Teammates mentor. She volunteered wherever she could. She always put others first—always.

Charlotte’s faith in God and her membership at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gilead were the foundation for her adult life. She was baptized on July 10, 1955, at the First Baptist Church in Fairbury and confirmed at St. Paul’s in 1956. She married Norbert on Sept. 11, 1955, at the Baptist Church in Fairbury.

Charlotte and Norbert loved traveling together. They visited most states and traveled several times to Alaska and Niagara Falls. They traveled to Jamaica, Germany, France, Amsterdam, Mexico and Canada. They traveled to Australia to visit their youngest daughter, Sarah. Charlotte also went on a special trip to Ireland with her oldest daughter Ava and her last big trip was to Cozumel with the extended family.

Charlotte loved singing, dancin’ in Jansen, square dancing with the Swinging Squares, playing the harmonica, sewing, crocheting, journaling, writing poetry, flower gardening, playing cards, and playing cribbage. The Hellers hosted 17 Lions Club exchange students over the years and absolutely loved it when Jerolyn or any of the other nieces and nephews spent the summer. Charlotte was a wonderful substitute mother to neighbor children if anyone needed her.

After Norb passed on December 15, 2010, Charlotte moved to a house in Fairbury. There she had the best birthday party of her life in a colorful garden party thrown by her daughters to celebrate her 80th birthday. Six years later she chose to make Cedarwood her home. She lived there until her death. Her last few years she suffered from heart failure, chronic pain, and many other health issues, but her family, friends, and Cedarwood staff were a blessing to her.

Charlotte is survived by her five daughters: Ava (Donald) Quinn of Gretna and Missouri, Joyce (Jon) Raatz of Fairbury, Chrystal (Scott) Nichelson of Fairbury, Holly (Todd) Troxel of Fairbury, and Sarah (John) Glen of Fremont. She is cherished by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Cortney Quinn, Christopher Quinn, Clayton Raatz, Tanner Sell, Marshall Nichelson, Cheza (Austin) Mazour, Kenna (Colton) Peavler, Derek Glen, Ashton Glen, Annsleigh Glen, Monẻy Holloway, Malia Davis, Charlie Sell, and Harper Sell. Charlotte felt unconditional love for each one and wrote of her family, “I hope that above everything they do, they will always keep Christ the center of their lives.”

Charlotte is also survived by a sister Julie Snyder, Sisters-in-law Adella Schmidt, Sandra Heller, Sarah Smith, Darlene Smith, and Louise Smith, brother-in-law Don Saathoff, an aunt Ava (Ron) Henkle, many beloved nieces and nephews, and countless special friends.

In Charlotte’s own words, her greatest reward was seeing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow into lovely, productive people. “Love and hugs to each of you. Keep up the good work.”