Helen Nelson

Helen T. Nelson died Friday morning, June 18, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Willmar.

A visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  Interment will be held at Ebenezer Lutheran Cemetery.  Arrangements by Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Helen T. Nelson was born in Kendall Co Illinois on July 30, 1923 to Truman B and Caroline (Syverson) Thorson, the second of six children.  She was raised on the farm and graduated from Newark High School where she won numerous awards for her typing and shorthand skills in State competition.  Helen married Lloyd A Nelson in Hondo, TX, where he was stationed with the Army Air Corp, on July 1, 1944.  Later moving back to Illinois, they welcomed their three children.  They relocated to St Paul MN in 1954 for Lloyd to attend Augsburg College and Luther Theological Seminary. While in St Paul, Helen worked as the executive secretary to the CEO of Klein’s grocery store chain.  They serviced parishes in Milnor, ND, Grand Force Air Force Base, Velva, ND, Valley Memorial Nursing Home, Grand Forks, plus 2 in Arizona.  Helen worked as the executive secretary to the Commander of the 319th Bomb Wing, GFAFB; and as the executive secretary to the Director of the USDA Human Nutrition Lab in Grand Forks.  During these years and many moves, she raised hundreds of African Violets and other houseplants, crocheted many items, including Afghans and Lap robes, donating many to the Cancer Center in GF, Willmar Legion and Bethesda Nursing Home.  Lloyd and Helen enjoyed spending many winters in Mesa/Ahwatukee, AZ.

Helen is survived by two daughters: Connie VanDerBill Medin (and Stephen Medin) of Spicer and Cindy Johnston of Plymouth; one son: Lloyd Nelson (and Casey); seven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.  Also surviving are two brothers: Cliff (and Lyla), Dean (and Betty) and two sisters: Lucille Ahern and Lois Ann Johnson, besides many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded death by her husband: Lloyd; two sons-in-law: Warren VanDerBill and Phillip W. Johnston, and many other relatives.