Obituary of Helen Nelson

Helen passed away peacefully at GracePointe Crossing East Gables on Friday evening, March 2nd at the age of 88. She was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Grace Wikeen, her brother Donald B. Wikeen, husband Gordon in 1994, and son John Peter in 1976. Helen was born in Minneapolis on January 13, 1924 where she lived until 1940 when the family moved back to Princeton due to her mother's declining health. Helen graduated from Princeton High School in 1942. She married Gordon Nelson of Princeton on March 8, 1946 in a beautiful ceremony at the home of her aunt and uncle, Raleigh and Ruth Herdliska. After their marriage, Gordon and Helen moved to Minneapolis so Gordon could train at Dunwoody to become a plumber. They returned to Princeton to enter the family business, Nelson Plumbing and Heating. In 1954, Gordon and Helen moved from Princeton to Isanti where they lived until they purchased a home on Rush Lake in 1979. Following a car accident in 1999, Helen moved to Augustana Apartments in Minneapolis before returning to Cambridge for the last years of her life. During her working years, Helen worked in the office at the Isanti Creamery, a teacher's aide at the Cambridge State Hospital, and, as the first and only, Meter Maid for the Cambridge Police Department. Once the meters were removed, she became a records officer until she retired in 1985. Helen was a 68 year member of Kedron Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in Princeton where she served as Worthy Matron in 1947. While living on Rush Lake, she enjoyed the friendships that she made while attending Jasper Chapter, OES in Rush City as well as participating in the Rush Point Leisure Club. Helen will be deeply missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Peg and Jerry Oliver, granddaughter Laura (Darren) Honl, grandson Brandon Oliver, and great-grandchildren Natalie, Trevor, and Brandon Honl.