Mary Helen “Helen” Vieyra, 84, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Great Plains Health.
Helen was born May 18, 1941, in North Platte to Jess and Jennie (DeLuna) Ponce. She was born and raised in North Platte and was the eldest of twelve children.
On January 23, 1957, she married George Vieyra. From this union they were blessed with two children: Rita and Greg. Helen worked for Roosevelt Elementary School for several years before beginning a career in the purchasing department at Great Plains Health, where she worked for over 20 years.
Helen was a strong woman of faith and loved being actively involved in her church community at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. It broke her heart when she became ill and was unable to attend church services anymore, but she continued to faithfully trust in Jesus Christ, her Savior.
Helen cherished spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed cooking, baking, dining out, tending to her rose and flower garden, and watching Western television shows. Each night she was devoted to watching and praying the Rosary. She was also an avid Elvis admirer, collecting photos and memorabilia, and enjoyed collecting religious items and snowman decor. Helen was especially known to all that knew her for taking care of others whenever they needed help, and when someone was sick, she would always be there.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, George; her son, Greg (Marlene) Vieyra; grandchildren, Lacey (Patrick) Fox, Nathan (Shawnae) Vieyra, Erin Vieyra, Jeremy (Lexie) Saenz; many great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Donna Sanchez, Elizabeth (Art) Perez, Sue (Larry) Tridle, Debra Cano, Janet (Lars) Parkhurst; brothers, Randy Ponce and Tim Ponce; aunt, Mary Ponce Carreras; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Rita Vieyra; her parents; her in-laws; brothers, Robert (Dorothy) Ponce and Tony (Judy) Ponce; sisters, Hope Jamsay and Michaelene (Jerry) Miller; grandparents, Luis and Nicolasa Ponce, Petra and R.C. Hernandez.
Online condolences may be shared at https://www.odeanchapel.com
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. with family present to greet friends from 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. followed by the Rosary.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Kadaprayil officiating. Burial will follow at the North Platte Cemetery, with a luncheon at St. Patrick’s Church immediately afterward.
Odean Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.