Helen was born on July 6, 1937 in West Point, Nebraska to Leo and Margaret (Ziska) Knievel. 

Helen married Ed Bracht on December 30, 1958 at St. Mary’s Church in West Point.  Helen and Ed have eight children, sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Helen attended Guardian Angels grade school and high school, graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1955.

Helen then attended St Catherine's School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating in 1958 first in her class.  She was licensed as a registered nurse in August 1958.

After nursing school, Helen worked at West Point Memorial Hospital as a nurse, 1958-62 full-time, continued thereafter for some years occasionally on a part-time basis.  She also worked on the Red Cross Blood Drive in West Point for many years. 

Beginning in 1958, Helen also worked with Ed on the farm, east of West Point.  She kept the farm’s books and milked cows.  During the 50 plus years, they raised crops, hogs and cattle, and milked dairy cows.  In 1979, they started a commercial cattle feedyard that they operated for more than 30 years with Helen continuing to do the bookkeeping. 

In 1997, they moved from the farm to their current house on East Washington Street in West Point, where they have lived until now.  Helen enjoyed flowers, gardening, canning, sewing and spending time with family and friends.

Helen was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, active in St. Mary’s Guild, Catholic Daughters, Christian Mothers, Perpetual Adoration Prayer Group and other parish groups and activities.  She also taught CCD.  Helen was a 4-H member as a youth and supported her children in a wide variety of 4-H activities including volunteering as a 4-H Club assistant leader.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Margaret Knievel, her sister, Frances Clare Knievel, her sister-in-law, Beverly (Tom) Knievel and her brother-in-law, Norbert Bracht.  She is survived by her husband, Ed Bracht, West Point; her children: David (Sue) Bracht, Omaha; Diane (Bob) Arduser, West Point; Cathy (Lanny) Burgett, Springfield; Kenneth (Kim) Bracht, Omaha; Kevin Bracht, West Point; Dennis (Sheila) Bracht, Arlington; Linda Bracht, West Point; Ryan Bracht, West Point;  16 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; Siblings: Dan (Beth) Knievel, Longmont, CO; Tom Knievel, Braidwood, IL; Bob (Bonnie) Knievel, Frederick, MD; John (Jessie) Knievel, Burnsville, MN; Delores Knievel; Lake Arrowhead, CA; Donald (Becky) Knievel, West Point; Mary (David) Koester, Carroll, IA;  In-laws: Leonard & Marian Bracht, Mrs. Millie (Norb) Bracht; Fred & Dorothy Gentrup; Paul & Vera Bracht; Vic & Judy Bracht; many, many nieces, nephews, and friends.