Helen V. Nielsen

Helen Virginia, daughter of Peder K. and Olga (Leistad) Pedersen, was born November 26, 1922 near Elk Horn, Iowa. She attended school in Elk Horn and graduated with the Class of 1941. In 1945 Helen was united in marriage with Paul Nielsen in Elk Horn. While Paul was in the Army they lived in various places in the United States. After Paul's college graduation, they moved to Belle Plaine in 1948. In 1959 they built the Belle Plaine Bowl where they worked side by side for 13 years. Helen was also bookkeeper and pie baker while raising four children. After the death of her husband in 1976, she worked as the bookkeeper for Grieder Standard Oil until her retirement in 1998. While in Belle Plaine Helen was a member of the United Church of Christ. She enjoyed walking, golfing, bowling, playing cards, needlework and baking. Above all, she loved being a grandmother. After returning to Elk Horn in 2003, she became a resident of Salem Lutheran Home in 2005. She died there on Thursday, July 26, 2012, at the age of 89 years. Preceding her in death are her parents; beloved husband; sisters Joyce Strandskov, Margery Hansen and Gudrun Jacobsen; brother Leroy Pedersen; four other siblings in infancy and brother-in-law Orval Nielsen. She is survived by her children Pamela (Gary) Bartachek of Cedar Rapids, Cathy (Wendell) Pace of Carrollton, TX, Lonnie (Mary Jo) Nielsen of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Loree (John) Weber of Spring Hill, FL; 11 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; in-laws: Dallas Hansen, Warren Jacobsen, and Clara Pedersen of Elk Horn; Heleen Nielsen of Storm Lake; Barb Nielsen of Le Mars; and Halvor Strandskov of MA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Officiating Reverend Keith Menter Salem Home Chaplain Paul Reynolds Music "How Great Thou Art" "Borning Cry" Congregation Nancy Watson, Organ "The Lord's Prayer" Cathy Pace, Vocals Pam Bartachek, Piano Casketbearers ~ Helen's Grandchildren Annette Foster Darin Bartachek Teri Essy Calen Pace Mollie Nielsen Teniel Pace Jeni Weber Braden Weber