Helen Lucille (Clinton) Dent was born March 14, 1918, in Manilla, Iowa, to Patrick F. and Lucy (Peterson) Clinton. Helen grew up on the family farm near Buck Grove, Iowa where she helped her parents with the farm work. She attended school in Manilla, and graduated from Manilla High School in 1936.

Helen married L. Don Dent on November 4, 1937, and to this union, three children were born; Delbert, Deanna, and Allan. The family made their home on a farm near Buck Grove. Helen moved to Manning, Iowa in 1957, and then to Omaha in 1959. After her retirement in 1980, Helen lived on an acreage in Elk City, Nebraska. In 1998, she moved to Arlington, Nebraska, before moving to the Life Care Center of Elkhorn in 2001.

Helen was a hard worker throughout her life. In addition to her jobs on the farm, she worked at the Egg Grading Plant in Manning, Iowa, Northside Produce in Omaha, the Blackstone Hotel, and as a day maid at the Kiewit Plaza in Omaha, from which she retired in 1980. She enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetables gardens, and loved irises so much that she had a separated garden just for them. Helen liked to go to garage sales, work with old jewelry, and later became interested in water color painting. Helen's biggest joy was for her dogs; Blackie and especially her German Shepherd, King. Helen had King so spoiled that she would go to town almost daily to get him his dog food. Helen's greatest accomplishment was raising her three children.

Helen passed away on Friday, August 29, 2008, at the Life Care Center of Elkhorn at the age of 90 years, 5 months, and 15 days. She is preceded in death by her parents; Patrick and Lucy Clinton, sister Kathryn Brosnahan, two brothers and one sister that died in childhood, and her son-in-law Edward J. Leaden. Helen is survived by her children; Delbert and wife, Colleen Dent of Casa Grande, Arizona, Deanna Leaden of Omaha, and Allan Dent and Dixie of Washington, Nebraska, seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.