Helen Nitschke, age 93, of Wolf Point, MT passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
One of 9 children born to John and Katherine Spitzer, Helen Nitschke was born in
Coldwater, North Dakota on May 5, 1918, and was baptized into the Christian faith on June 9 of the same year. She attended schools in the Coldwater area, where she graduated from the eighth grade. In addition to her formal education, Helen attended Confirmation classes, (taught in the German language), and was confirmed on June 23, 1932.
Helen spent her early years doing chores on the family farm as well as helping her mother with the gardening. She also helped in the house with the washing, cooking and cleaning.
In the early summer of 1935, Helen met the love of her life, John Nitschke, and after a short courtship they were married on November 17, 1935, moving to Wolf Point, Montana in December of the same year. While in Wolf Point, John and Helen joined Trinity Lutheran Church, and were members there until their deaths. Two children, Charles, born in 1937, and Luella (Blondie), born in 1941, were born in Wolf Point before the family moved to Lodi, California in October of 1941 just two months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7.
John and Helen and their family remained in California until 1944, when they returned to Montana, settling in Fairfield. There, a second daughter, Nancy, was born in 1946.
The family returned to their Wolf Point roots in 1947, and in March of 1948 their second son, John Jr., was born. John and Helen remained in Wolf Point, raising their family. John owned and operated the Redi-Mix plant until 1964 and built and sold several homes. Helen helped out at the Redi-Mix plant, driving the trucks, and also washing sand and gravel for the business. She also worked at the Sherman Inn, at Trinity Hospital, and Faith Home, finally retiring from Woods Power Grip in 1990.
Helen was an avid and accomplished bowler, participating in many leagues and bowling state-wide in numerous tournaments spanning a 50-year period. In addition to her bowling, Helen was perhaps best known for her talents as a master gardener. Every spring and summer people would walk by her home and admire the multitude of vegetables, flowers and plants (especially the poppies) bringing forth their natural beauty.
Helen was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she assisted with the Vacation Bible School, was a member of the Altar Guild, and up to the time of her death was a participating member of the LWML.
Helen’s husband John preceded her in death on January 5, 2002; her son Charles; and daughter, Luella.
Helen is survived by her children, Nancy Bauer of Wolf Point and John Nitschke, Jr. of Thermopolis, WY; sister, Elsa of Havre, MT; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, John; son, Charles; and daughter, Luella.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Bauer of Wolf Point; son, John Nitschke, Jr. of Thermopolis, WY; and her sister, Elsa Dwello of Havre; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Viewing will be held from 1 p.m. until the prayer service at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 18 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, November 19 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. Cremation is to follow and inurnment will be held at a later date at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.