Helene R. Larson Svitak
November 18, 1935 - February 13, 2026

Helene R. Larson Svitak, age 90, of Hooper
Died Friday, February 13, 2026 at home.

Helene Ruth Svitak-Larson was born November 18, 1935 to Franz and Augusta (Stangenberg) Jonuscheit in Rosenvalde, East Prussia. In October 1944, she and her family fled their farm as the Russians were invading. She endured all aspects of the war. Her family made 1000 mile trek to refuge. Her father was taken by the Germans to fight and she lost the hand of her mother and sister, they went on to Denmark and were prisoners of war. Helene was in a foster home till the age of 15 when her parents found her after five years on March 16, 1950. On June 10 in 1952, the family traveled to America. They arrived in New York. On June 12, 1952 they arrived in Fremont at their sponsors Emil Barelman. She took classes at Midland and in Omaha to learn English. She started working at Skogland photography and did her first wedding at the age of 15, the day that Mr. Skogland died she filled in. Later she purchased the business which became Larson Studio. She was an apprentice in photography in Germany.

She owned Larson, studio from 1957 to 1989, then worked for Rick Billings photography from 1989 to 2015. She did freelance digital photo artwork from 2015 to 2023. She also did Photoshop artwork for Tim McCormick until the age of 88. Helene was the first female president of the professional photographers of Nebraska in 1971. She was also a board member, convention chairman, Heart of America four state region board member and vice president, in all serving 18 years. She received two national awards for her outstanding service in the profession from the Professional Photographers of America and Honorary Fellowship and Fellowship from the professional photographers of Nebraska. Helene had been awarded with 34 national merits trophies and ribbons for her entries of photographs and digital artwork, including several portraits on loan in the national archives, giving her master credentials in all of her work.

She married Donald L Larson in 1956 and had four children. She married Frank Svitak in 1985 and both preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Franz and Augusta Jonuscheit, sister Frieda Lydia Kallmeier, daughter Angela Ruth Larson, and foster parents Emil and Berta Schwartz.

She is survived by her son, Dean Alan Larson, and wife Lynn, her son David Lynn Larson, all of Fremont, and daughter, Carmen Denise Maurer and husband Dale of Hooper; grandchildren: Monica Marie Clobes and husband, Todd of Lincoln, Nicklaus Dean Larson and wife, Dawn of Omaha, Ashley Deanne Larson, and Friend, Ryan Tickle of California, Jordan David Larson and wife Jonne' of Scribner, Kelsey Briana Sharman and husband Samuel of Yutan, Chase Donald Larson-Maurer and Friend Brittney Toy of Hooper; Great grandchildren: Mason Lee Clobes, Hayley Adele-Rose and Hunter Nickelaus Larson, Tobias Parker, Cambria Jordann, Emri Kelsey Sharman, Harper Angela-Rae Maurer, Scarlet Renée Curtis and Trevor Lee Swan. Helene also cherished all her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and great great nieces as well as her precious dog, Gracie!

There is no viewing but the family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, 2026 beginning at 9:30am at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hooper. The memorial service will follow at 10:30 also at church. A lunch will follow the service at the American Legion on Main St.

Hooper Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com