Helen Seeland

HELEN SEELAND

Elkader

Helen Seeland of rural Elkader passed away on Feb. 28, 2017. Helen was born on June 23, 1921, to Charles and Anna Nichols in Elkader where she attended and graduated from the public schools. On May 31, 1940, she married Harold Seeland at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. While raising five children, she was actively involved with the work on the family farm. Cooking and baking for her family and others were lifelong pleasures for her. Often her cooking and baking used fruits and vegetables from the big garden she enjoyed cultivating.

Helen was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church and served on a variety of church boards, including as vice president and president of the Decorah Conference of Women. She passed on her love of reading by serving as a "book buddy," reading to young students in the schools. Her strong belief in helping others made her active in the Elkader Lions Club, where she served as president. While Harold watched Cubs games or other sports events, Helen left a legacy of crocheted afghans and doilies for her family and friends. She relished summer trips, traveling the United States and ultimately getting to all states except Alaska. However, if you asked Helen her favorite pastime, she would tell you taking care of and spending time with her grandsons brought her great joy. Helen was born one year after women were given the right to vote and was thrilled to be able to vote for a woman as president of the country.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Lawrence Nichols; her sister, Marion (Bob) Pries; sister, Marguerite (Herman) Fascher; her husband; and her daughter, Joann Millard.

She is survived by daughters, Jan (Lynn) Reinicke, Jean Seeland and Joyce (James) Larson; son, Charlie (Kari) Seeland; son-in-law, Gary Millard; grandsons, Andy and Tommy Seeland; and her cat, Spanky.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Bethany Lutheran Church or the Elkader Public Library.

Visitation: 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elkader and one hour before services at the church on Friday.

Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader.

Interment: East Side Cemetery, Elkader.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.leonardfuneralhomes.com.