Helen D. Nielsen
February 15, 1923 — May 27, 2009
Helen Nielsen was born on February 15, 1923 to Carl and Alma (Maasen) Nelson in rural Avoca, Iowa. She graduated from Avoca High School with the Class of 1940.
She was united in marriage to Orval M. Nielsen on October 1, 1941 in Omaha, Nebraska. Three children were born to this union: Kenneth, Larry, and Karen. Helen did housework for others while Orval was in the military. After his return, they continued farming in the Avoca, Menlo, and Adair areas. Helen also worked at the feed store they owned and operated in Walnut, Colonial Motor Inn, Mickel’s, Best Western motel, was a successful Tupperware dealer for eighteen years, and babysat for many years until moving to Harlan in 1992.
When the children were little, they would go on trail rides and ride their horses in parades in different communities. Helen loved to cook and bake and would make her special buttermilk brownies whenever requested. She could never say no to anyone. She also loved to sew and would make new doll clothes or most importantly, patching overalls. As her great-grandson Zain said, "great-grandma can fix anything".
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca for twenty-six years, the Walnut American Legion Auxiliary, and the Walnut Fireflies.
Helen moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut, Iowa in 2005 but would go to Harlan several days a week to spend time with Karen. Her family was everything to her and they would go on weekend get-aways together.
Helen died on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, having attained the age of eighty-six years, three months, and twelve days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Orval, son Larry, great-granddaughter Jennifer Sandbothe, sisters Annabelle and Evelyn; brothers Jigs, Donald, and Clifford.
She is survived by her son Kenny Nielsen of Walnut, Iowa, daughter Karen Blum and her friend Gary Russell of Harlan, Iowa; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother LaVerne Nelson and his wife Judy of Boise, Idaho; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
Pastor Dennis Reich performed the 11:00 AM funeral service on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Scott Petersen, Troy Nielsen, Sherry Sandbothe, Nicki Ranney, Jeff Nielsen, and Eric Sandbothe. Interment was held at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.
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She was united in marriage to Orval M. Nielsen on October 1, 1941 in Omaha, Nebraska. Three children were born to this union: Kenneth, Larry, and Karen. Helen did housework for others while Orval was in the military. After his return, they continued farming in the Avoca, Menlo, and Adair areas. Helen also worked at the feed store they owned and operated in Walnut, Colonial Motor Inn, Mickel’s, Best Western motel, was a successful Tupperware dealer for eighteen years, and babysat for many years until moving to Harlan in 1992.
When the children were little, they would go on trail rides and ride their horses in parades in different communities. Helen loved to cook and bake and would make her special buttermilk brownies whenever requested. She could never say no to anyone. She also loved to sew and would make new doll clothes or most importantly, patching overalls. As her great-grandson Zain said, "great-grandma can fix anything".
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca for twenty-six years, the Walnut American Legion Auxiliary, and the Walnut Fireflies.
Helen moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut, Iowa in 2005 but would go to Harlan several days a week to spend time with Karen. Her family was everything to her and they would go on weekend get-aways together.
Helen died on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, having attained the age of eighty-six years, three months, and twelve days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Orval, son Larry, great-granddaughter Jennifer Sandbothe, sisters Annabelle and Evelyn; brothers Jigs, Donald, and Clifford.
She is survived by her son Kenny Nielsen of Walnut, Iowa, daughter Karen Blum and her friend Gary Russell of Harlan, Iowa; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother LaVerne Nelson and his wife Judy of Boise, Idaho; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
Pastor Dennis Reich performed the 11:00 AM funeral service on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Scott Petersen, Troy Nielsen, Sherry Sandbothe, Nicki Ranney, Jeff Nielsen, and Eric Sandbothe. Interment was held at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.
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