Helen L. Nelson

Helen Lucile Bottjen was born November 4, 1915 in Moville, IA to William and Bertha (Eichhorn) Bottjen. She was baptized on November 28, 1915 and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in June of 1930 at St. Paul Lutheran Midway. After the death of her mother, she cared for her younger siblings. She loved to plant and pick corn with the horses. Her motto was that you could get more corn in a crooked row than a straight one. She received her education in country schools in Woodbury County. On December 17, 1940, she married Leo Nelson of Galva in Sioux City, IA at the First Covenant Church. To this union two sons were born, Gerald and Dale.

The family lived in the Galva area from 1949 to 1961 where they farmed. They then moved to the Cushing area and continued farming. After farming, they moved to Correctionville where she worked in the kitchen at the Correctionville Schools. Leo passed away in 1981. Helen began volunteering at the Correctionville Nursing Home in 1988, which she continued to do for 20 years. She received the Governor of Iowa Award for Volunteerism.

Helen was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church Midway and Grace Lutheran Church of Correctionville, where she was a member of Ladies Aid, helped with Sunday school and was involved with numerous activities within the church. She loved to cook, garden, and crochet, bowl and play cards. She especially enjoyed her sister coming to play Pinochle. She loved every one of her family and also loved her Lord, and thanked him for the many days of her life.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo Nelson; son, Jerry Nelson; sisters, Evaline (Willie) Schultz, Velma (Edward) Schultz and LaVonne (Albert Sr.) Loof; brothers, Edward Bottjen, Richard Bottjen and Darrell Bottjen; brother-in-law, Murl Hansen; and numerous other brothers and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her son, Dale and wife Joyce Nelson of Holstein, IA; daughter-in-law, Bev Nelson of LeMars, IA; five grandchildren, Trevor and wife Pam Nelson of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Tracy and wife Julie Nelson of Salix, IA, Trent and wife Gina Nelson of Rapid City, SD, Brian and wife Jean Nelson of Logan, IA, and Curtis Nelson of Goodhue, MN; twelve great-grandchildren, Julia Anne, Thomas, Garrett, Codi, Tyler, Rebecca, Taylor, Hannah, Brandon, Lenae, Chase and Peyton and a great-granddaughter due in March; one great-great-grandchild due in June; one sister, Myrt Hansen of Remsen, IA; sisters-in-law, Ginger Curry and Betty Bottjen; special friends from the nursing home and numerous nieces and nephews.