Helen Kay "Skeeter" Nielsen

Helen Kay "Skeeter" Nielsen, age 78, of Yankton and formerly of York, NE, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton is in charge of local arrangements. A Memorial Service and Burial of her cremated remains will take place in York, NE. Metz Mortuary in York, NE will be in charge of arrangements.

Helen was born May 12, 1935 in York, NE to Clarence A. and Iva (Foster) Stephen. She graduated from York High School in 1953 and Floral Design School in 1974 in Denver, CO. She married Norval Nielsen on December 26, 1955 in York, NE. Norval passed away in 1975.

She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church, a Charter President of La Sertoma, President of the Women's Club, Cub Scouts, County Chair of the Heart Association, Chair of March of Dimes, and helped with many charitable organizations. She started her floral work with Dorothy and Howard May and opened the Flower Box in 1974. Later she worked for Margie Staehr at the Country Gardens. She enjoyed doing floral work.

She is survived by her son, Andy of Wymore, NE; a granddaughter, Jill (Brent) Parsons of Kansas City, MI; great-grandchildren, Paige and Will Parsons; two brothers, Homer Stephen of Lincoln, NE and Don (Faye) Stephan of Brighton, CO; special friend, Bill Walker of Yankton, SD; and many nieces and nephews.