Helen Maxine Nelson, 81, beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and friend departed this earth on February 21, 2009. She succumbed to three year long illness of Myelodysplastic Syndrome which developed into Leukemia. She died surrounded by her sister, nieces, nephew, granddaughters and great-grandchildren at her granddaughter's home in Prosper, Texas. She was born at home in Indianola, Iowa on July 11, 1927 to Loren and Etta Mae Beck. She married Navy Seaman Francis "Ole Nelson on June 2, 1946. She was mother to daughter Connie and son Steve. Although she lived most of her life with her family in Indianola, Iowa; her favorite place was at Lake Thunderhead, Missouri. Throughout her adult life she spent weekends at the lake with family and friends until she and her husband built their cherished lake house in 1980 where they retired. Helen worked as an Accountant for Pruitt Company for 20+ years. After retiring she enjoyed traveling with her daughter and family to many destinations all over the United States and Europe. A favorite trip was a cruise to Alaska with her husband, son, daughter and son-in-law for their 50th wedding anniversary. When at home she loved fishing, sitting on her porch overlooking the lake, cooking for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoying friends while working for fun at the Marina on Lake Thunderhead. She was an avid golfer and loved to play on the lake course. She is survived by her sister Mae Dillard and nieces Linda Dittmer, Susie Bissell and nephew Bradley Dillard, Grandsons Nick (Laura) Vanderpool IV, Dr. Anthony (Julia) Vanderpool, Scott (Paige) Nelson, Steve (Ami) Nelson, Granddaughters Josie Vanderpool (Troy) Jones, Tiffany Nelson and 19 adoring Great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her Father, Loren Ellisworth Beck; Mother, Etta Mae Beck; Husband, Francis "Ole" Nelson; Grandsons Luke Jones and Scott Dillard; Daughter, Constance Rae Vanderpool; Son Steve Nelson.

Visitation will be on Friday February 27 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave. Indianola, Iowa. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 28 at the funeral home.