Obit: Nelson, Helen M. (1927 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Nelson, Paun, Stevens, Seymour, Cassell

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/14/2012

Nelson, Helen M. (16 November 1927 - 19 July 2012)

Helen M. Nelson, 85, of Napa, CA, died July 19, 2012. She was born Nov. 16, 1927, in Granton, the eldest of seven children of Croatian immigrant parents, Thomas Anton Paun and Mary Elizabeth Paun.

Helen graduated from Neillsville High School. Shortly after, she moved to Richmond, CA, where she met and married Dick N. Nelson. They took over the Nelson family business, where they ran Nelson Shopping Center on 23rd and McDonald Avenue in Richmond, CA, for 43 years before retirement. They moved to Napa, CA, in 1971. Helen was civic-minded, participating in local organizations and donating to various charities, especially during the holidays. She was a vibrant, outgoing person who enjoyed entertaining and hosting elaborate dinner parties and spending time with family and friends at her Lake Tahoe home.

Some of her favorite hobbies wee traveling abroad, cruising, doll collecting and oil painting. Helen’s infectious smile and humorous laugh will be missed by many; also, the devotion she bestowed on her three felines, Ricky, Lucy and Sammy.

Helen was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Dick Nelson, and he only son, Richard A. Nelson.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Karen Stevens of San Ramon, CA; brothers, Joe Paun, Menomonee Falls, Frank Paun, Rockford, IL, John (Ellen) Paun, Granton and Thomas (Janette) Paun, Granton; sisters, Martha (Robert) Seymour, Richmond, CA, and Mary Jane (Vern) Cassell, Louisville, KY; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial mass was held at St. John’s Catholic Church in El Cerrito. She was laid to rest with her husband and son at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette, CA.