Helen I. Nelson, 95, passed away at Heritage Manor in Walnut on June 13, 2023.

Helen was born on June 10, 1928, in Harmon, Illinois, to Henry and Mabel Geldean.  She married Merle Nelson in Sterling on March 10, 1951, and lived on the family farm for almost 70 years.  Merle passed away on March 28, 1990.   Helen worked as a registered nurse at Home Hospital and Community General Hospital in Sterling.  She was an active member of Sterling First Church of the Nazarene and worked in the nursery and in the children’s Sunday School Department for decades.  She loved being outside, mowing and working in the garden and yard.  She loved her many cats and dogs.  Her personal ministry was to send many cards to family, friends, and neighbors, along with visiting in homes and nursing homes.

Helen is survived by her children – Kathy (Michael) Banks of Sterling, Kim (Diane) Nelson of Walnut, Kristi Fluck of Oldsmar, Florida, and Kendra (Brent) Hasenauer of Rock Falls; grandchildren Tracy (Ian) Banks-Geiger, Gregory (Elish) Banks, Chelsey (Chris) Yucus, Luke (Charis) Nelson, Lindsey (Michael) Ganschow, Lacey (Brock) Kaecker, Jarod Fluck, Jordan (Florencia) Fluck, Jessica (Jonathan) Thomas, several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; her parents, her son-in-law, Daniel Fluck; two sisters, Trudy Hedrick and Avis Sutton; and three brothers, Don, Howard, and Earl Geldean.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Eldon Cook officiating. Burial will conclude at Walnut Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in her memory to the Walnut Fire Dept and Rescue or First Church of the Nazarene in Sterling.