Helga Nelson, 91, died Monday, September 14, 2009 at MeritCare Northwest Campus in Thief River Falls, MN surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, September 18, 2009 at Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Wesley Langaas officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Friday at the church.

Helga Olava Groven was born on August 27, 1918 on the family farm east of Oklee, MN the third of seven children of Saamund and Annie (Aaknes) Groven. She was baptized and confirmed at Valle Lutheran Church, and attended Fairview Country School east of Oklee, MN. She did housework in Thief River Falls, MN in the mid 1930s.

She married Millard A. Nelson on July 23, 1938 and maintained their home at 903 Arnold Ave. N. in Thief River Falls. To this union there were five children born, Stuart, Bruce, Gary, Jack and Jill.

Helga worked part-time at the Co-op Creamery and also worked as a cook at Lincoln High School for about 15 years until retirement.

She was a member of Abundant Life Church and was active in the ladies circles and Lyon Rebekah Lodge in Thief River Falls. Helga enjoyed gardening, spending time at their cabin at Union Lake and keeping the family and friends overfed with their favorite cooking. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds.

Helga is survived by four children, Stuart (Karen) Nelson of Anoka, MN, Bruce (Kay) Nelson of Thief River Falls, Jack (Jean) Nelson of Thief River Falls and Jill (Joseph) Wetzstein of Dickinson, ND; daughter-in-law, Lynnea Nelson of Albertville, MN; 10 grandchildren, Susan (Jeff) Revering, Paul Nelson, Brian (Katy Kyle) Nelson, Tami Nelson, Michelle (Nathan) Hunt, Shane (Tina) Nelson, David (Johna) Nelson, Curtis Nelson, Craig (Stephanie) Nelson, and Ariana Wetzstein; 19 great-grandchildren, Alicia (Tim), Andrew (Sara), Chrissa, Jill Marie (Tom), Tawnya, Jorde, Aaron, Trenton, Mason, Dillon, Amanda, Travis, Devin, Levi, Tia, Taylor, Chase, Alexandra and Madelynn; sister, Dora (David) Tate of Attica, MI; sister-in-law, Lillian Groven of Thief River Falls; and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Millard in 2003; son, Gary in 2008; parents; and brothers and sisters, Halvor, Bjorgulv Bennie , Inga Adele Mansfield, Ragnhild Rags Thompson, Gunstein Gus and Leif (in infancy).