Patricia Ann Helmbolt

Patricia “Pat” Ann Helmbolt was born on September 8, 1938 in Norfolk, NE. She was the oldest child of Irene (Stelling) and Donald Drager. Pat was raised in Lincoln, NE where she attended Lincoln High School and eventually met her husband.
Pat married Wilbert “Arlen” Thompson and to this union six children were born: Darlene, Ward, Denise, Diana, Rex and Russell. The family relocated to Colorado where Pat worked at various waitress, bartender and secretarial positions in both Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. She eventually obtained her home daycare license where she became a second mom/grandmother to several very special families and children. After Arlen’s death, Pat met and eventually married Burton “Bert” Helmbolt. This union added three stepsons: Bert Jr, Tony and Timmy to the family. Bert’s military service relocated the family to Karlsruhe, Germany where they were able to tour around Europe for three years before returning to Colorado. Pat and Bert eventually settled in Pleasant View, CO, and built a successful photography business, Premier Portraits, on Colorado’s western slope and surrounding areas. Pat passed away peacefully at her home on May 18, 2020.
Pat is preceded in death by her first husband, Arlen; her children, Ward, Denise and Diana; her stepson, Timmy; her parents, Don and Irene Drager; her maternal grandparents, Della (Sollman) and John Stelling; her paternal grandparents, Luella (Tierney) and Gustav Drager; her sister, Carole Ohlson and sister-in-law, Dixie Drager. She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Bert; her children, Darlene Foley (Paul), Rex Thompson and Russell Thompson; her brother, Gary Drager; her stepsons, Bert Helmbolt Jr, and Tony Helmbolt; her brother-in-law, Lynn Ohlson; 22 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and various nephews, nieces, cousins and other extended family members. She is also survived by a long list of very close family friends that Pat held close to her heart.
Due to the current corona virus pandemic and CDC restrictions, a graveside service will be held in Orchard, NE at a later date.