Helen Johanna Nelson passed away on February 23, 2020, at the age of 87. She was born on March 1, 1932, in Esmond, North Dakota, and was the daughter of George and Francis Eback. She was one of fourteen children.

Helen married Raymond E. Nelson on December 5, 1949. They were married for 63 years until his passing in 2013.

Besides being a wife and mother, she worked as a farm laborer, factory worker, and waitress.

After retirement she volunteered at rest stops and served coffee, cookies and cake to travelers. She also volunteered at food bank collections, served special meals for the Knights of Columbus, and washed the linens for the altar for Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church. Helen’s hobbies were going to bingo, gardening and games. Her most special joy was spending time with her family.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, and all her siblings except for one brother, Benny Eback, of Leeds, North Dakota.

Helen is survived by her children Raymond and Mary Nelson, Audrey and Kenneth Thomas, LeRoy and Cathy Nelson, Gary and Gail Nelson, Richard Nelson, Mark Nelson, Wayne and Joann Nelson, and Robert and Laura Nelson, as well as 19 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.

Her surviving in-laws are Kathleen Hitsman and family, Ted and Bernadine Nelson and family, Chuck and Helen Nelson and family, and Evelyn Rasmussen and family, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 4, 2020, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church located at 14601 A Street S, Tacoma, WA 98444.

Viewing will between 10 and 11 a.m.

The reception will be held after the funeral mass in the church hall and followed by the procession to Gethsemane Cemetery, 37600 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003.