Helen Berniece “Koch,” “Burgess,” Showers, 94, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023; days short of her 95th birthday. Helen was born in Kersey, Colorado to Jacob and Catherine Koch on November 17, 1928. As a young child, she moved from Colorado to Wyoming. Her childhood years were spent in Wheatland, Ranchester, Kooi and Sheridan, Wyoming. With her 10 siblings, each day was dedicated to tending to the sugar beet family farm until she met her first husband and left home to form her own family.

After her marriage to John Burgess, they nurtured 4 children at their home in Sheridan, Wyoming. One of her joys was monitoring her 4 rambunctious children along with baking, horseshoeing, accordion playing, singing, gardening, and bowling. After the children were grown, Helen married Paul Showers on February 5, 1983. Helen and Paul traveled in their RV for many years and enjoyed various places in the US.

Some of her accomplishments include becoming a champion at the World Horseshow Competition in Spearfish, South Dakota, and singing with the Sweet Adeline group in Austria and the Carnegie Hall. Helen was a long-standing charter member of the and past madam president for the Eagles. Also Charter member of BPOE Does. Helen worked at JCPenney, Bookkeeper at Mid Continent Oil, First National Bank, Community First Bank, the school cafeteria, BHJ and Betty Mitchell chiropractic.

Helen is survived by one sister Florence (Ray) Weibel, four children and one step child: Jerry (Val) Burgess, Dan (Susie) Burgess, Joyce Garris, Diana (Lyle) Cornthwaite, and Paul Jr. (Nita) Showers; 8 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren: Helene, Shannon (Kevin), Stephanie (Jason), Kimberly (Greg), Dane (Jahnel), Emily (Brady), Danielle (Josh), Josh, Jennifer (Josiah), David, Paul III, and Amy Jai; and 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Paul Showers, parents Jacob and Catherine Koch, sister Pauline Achenbach, sister Rachel Achenbach, brother Albert Bitters, sister Irene Wolvin, sister Rose Rotellini, sister Elfreda Williams, sister Gladys Madron, brother Clarence Koch, sister Adeline Clark, and stepdaughter Debbi Jackson.

A Celebration Of Life will be held on Friday November 17, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Kane Funeral Home, with Reverend Kevin Jones officiating. A reception will follow the service, with inurnment in the Elks section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.

If you are unable to attend please join us via ZOOM, 10 minutes prior to 2:00 pm.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81250005029?pwd=3AvgtHDngaonPJhPvkhO20H0oriQer.1

Passcode: 860287

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.