Helen Luella Nelson Helen Luella Nelson, 91 passed away October 30, 2012 with family present at Park View Estates, Kennewick, Washington, following a period of congestive heart failure. She was under Hospice care. She was born Helen Luella Amdahl in Summit, South Dakota, March 9, 1921, the eighth child and 5th daughter of Olaf and Josie Amdahl. Baptised May 15, 1921 and confirmed in the Lebanon Lutheran Church in 1937. She married her husband of 70 years, Melvin K. Nelson, January 19, 1942. She moved to Los Angeles, California with her husband who served in the Navy during WW II. During the early war years she worked in an aircraft factory while her husband served in the Pacific and her first two children were born. Helen was an avid photographer with a camera always at the ready to take pictures of family and friends….her photographs are a treasure trove of wonderful memories of each family gathering and other special events over the years. Family reunions at the family home on Blue Dog Lake in Waubay SD, were very special to Helen and she kept a record of all the relatives and friends who attended over the years. Helen enjoyed bowling and was a league bowler for several years. When the golf course opened in Bridgeport Helen got some clubs and went swinging. She enjoyed bridge, mushroom hunting, berry picking and visiting friends and family. During retirement she enjoyed many years as a winter snowbird traveling South in their camper and later owning a second home in Arizona. Roaming the desert, collecting cactus and other treasures was a great delight and adventure. In her 80's she learned how to use email and soon was using her lap top computer to keep in touch with family and friends all over the country. An avid gardener, her flower gardens were a great joy and truly unique with many unusual objects blended among the amazing array of flowers and shrubs. She and her husband enjoyed dancing for many years. Over the course of her husband's career they lived in Los Angeles, CA, Eugene OR, Great Falls, MT, Kimball, NB, Libby, MT, Edmonds, WA, Bridgeport, WA, Florence, AZ and Benton City, WA. She is survived by her husband Melvin K. Nelson, and her four children and their spouses, Chyrel Nelson Coloff, and Stanley Coloff of Hartfield, Virginia, Larry and Donna Nelson, Monroe, Washington, Lanny and Theresa Nelson, Snohomish, Washington, and Nola Nelson and Duane Kelso, Benton City, Washington. Grandchildren, Catherine Coloff, Jeff Nelson, Christa Nelson Miller, LaDean Nelson, Clarissa Nelson, Cooper Nelson, Laura Fonner, Keith Kelso, and Sarah Kelso Enlow. Great Grand Children, Alex Verge, Preslee Nelson, Joshua Nelson, Jordan Miller, Timothy Miller, Ryan Allen, Jessika Broadway, Brandon Anderson, Nicholas Anderson, Kyndyl Anderson, Joshua Fonner, Emma Jean Kelso, Harlan Kelso, Collin Enlow, Tristan Enlow. Great Great Grandchild, Lolannee Allen Her seven siblings preceded her in death, Beatrice Amdahl Richter, Ruby Amdahl Wiley, Olaf Raymond Amdahl, Alice Amdahl Fiebelkorn, Verna Amdahl Duke, Joseph Pershing Amdahl, Arlie Mervin Amdahl and Merle Leslie Amdahl. Helen's family and extended family of friends will miss her immensely. Memorial Service and Celebration of Life is pending and will be conducted at the Hillcrest Memorial Center, 9353 West Clearwater, Kennewick, Washington. The family is most appreciative and thankful for the compassionate care of Hospice and Parkview Assisted Living staff. Condolence cards/letters may be sent to: Parkview Estates, 7820 West 6th Ave. Apartment 308, Kennewick, WA 99336 In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Helen Nelson, may be made to Hospice at The Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, Washington, 99352