Helen Nicolai

Helen Gertrude Nicolai, age 91, of Mankato and formerly of St. Clair, died Saturday, September 13, 2003 at Sibley Manor West in Mankato.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair, with Rev. Daniel Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in St. Clair. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.

Helen was born July 21, 1912 in Medo Township, Blue Earth County to Charles and Millie (Brazier) Ward. She attended Bellview Country School and St. Clair High School. On November 12, 1929, she was united in marriage to Elmer Nicolai at St. Johns Parsonage in St. Clair. They made their home in the St. Clair area. Helen was a homemaker for her family. She enjoyed sewing and music, especially singing and playing piano and organ. She was a devout Christian and a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair.

Helen is survived by three children and their spouses, Marvin and Patricia Nicolai of Brainerd, Donna and Ivan Borchardt of rural Good Thunder, Judith and Richard Wilder of rural Mankato; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Ward of rural Mapleton, Jack Ward and wife, Nedra of rural Janesville, Warren Ward of rural Pemberton; sister-in-law, Bernice Ward of Mankato; many nieces and nephews, including Delbert Pierce and Janet Bollman. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister, Beth; a brother, Elwyn; and two sisters-in-law.