Helen Nielson

Funeral services for Helen Nielson will be Sunday, October 2 at 2pm at the First Church of God in Marion with visitation beginning at 12:30pm, Sunday at the church. 

On September 27,2022 Helen Nielson of Marion, SD ended her earthly journey.

Helen was born March 8, 1926 to John and Arie (Wieman) Borgers in Turner County. She was later joined by a brother Robert (Bob).

Graduating from Monroe High School in 1944, Helen then enrolled in a teacher’s course at General Beadle State College in Madison. Upon completing this course she taught country school for 3 years in the Monroe area.

Shortly after a move with her parents to a farm near Montrose, her neighbor Lawrence (Timer) Nielson stopped by for a visit and asked her to attend a church function at Ramsey Baptist Church. It must have been love at first sight; then, several months later on September 23, 1949, they were married and continued a life of love and faithfulness for 58 years.

They welcomed 3 children to their growing family. Janice (Steve) Kraemer of Marion, South Dakota, Mark (Lynn) Nielson of Waterloo, Indiana, and Nathan (Tammy) Nielson of Marietta, Georgia. They were blest with 7 grandchildren. Bryan (Heidi) Kraemer of Marion, South Dakota, Kyle (Marie) Kraemer of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Erica (Kevin) McIntire of Auburn, Indiana, Sara Fox of Richmond, Indiana, Timothy (Amelia) Nielson of Waynesville, North Carolina. Matthew (Christy) Nielson of Oxford, Mississippi, Andrew (Tonya) Nielson of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The family has now grown with the addition of 17 great grandchildren.

In 2007, Helen was greatly saddened by the death of her beloved husband, “Timer”. At the age of 85 she courageously faced heart by-pass surgery. With the support of her family she continued to live in their home in Marion until she suffered a broken hip in 2015 which resulted in a move to the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion where she resided until her death.

In addition to her love and devotion to her family, Helen was passionate about music. She was an enthusiastic piano teacher having taught hundreds of students over fifty years. She enjoyed serving the church by sharing her musical abilities, accompanying the choir and various groups. Helen never lost her enjoyment for planning and playing for special musical programs and continued to play piano even in her final week here on earth.

Helen and Timer loved entertaining friends and family in their home. It was her great joy to cook for her guests. She also loved to play games and was especially adept at word games.

Helen loved family, music, but most importantly she loved the Lord. A personal faith permeated every aspect of her life. Her greatest desire was to see others come to faith in Jesus Christ. Her family is a testament to the legacy of faith that she lived out every day.