Nellie (Winegardner) Helwig Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Nellie Leona (Winegardner) Helwig, age 95, of Knoxville and formerly of rural Bussey, Iowa, passed away Monday evening, December 11, 2017 at the Pella Hospice Comfort House in Pella, Iowa. Visitation for Nellie will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at the Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville, with the family present from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Nellie’s Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, December 18, 2017 also at the Winfield Funeral Home. Following services burial will be held at Liberty Cemetery, west of Bussey, Iowa. Nellie was born on July 19, 1922 to Lloyd and Mary Winegardner. Nellie, along with her one brother and her two sisters, was raised on the edge of Tracy. Nellie graduated from Tracy High School, Class of 1940. Soon after graduation, on June 30, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri, Nellie and Wayne “Gus” Helwig were united in marriage. Nellie and Gus shared over 56 years of marriage together and were blessed with four children: Barb, Gary, Betty, and Joanne. Nellie and Gus farmed and raised their family west of Bussey, during which time she was a homemaker and farmwife. After Gus died on March 11, 1997, Nellie moved from the farm to Knoxville. Nellie was a wonderful cook and baker. She often made fried chicken and pies for her children and grandchildren for Sunday dinner. She enjoyed sharing her food, her love, and her time with her family. She was an excellent card player. She and Gus enjoyed playing bridge, canasta, pitch and other card games with family and friends. She also played card games for many years with her friends after Gus’ passing. Nellie was a member of the Bussey Order of the Eastern Star and she was active with the Bussey United Methodist Women. Nellie is survived by her four children and their families. Her daughter Barb (John) Nichols and their two children; Laura (Scott) Drzycimski, with their children Ben and Faith; and Jeff Nichols with his children Claire and Korben. Her son Gary (Carol) Helwig and their two sons; Patrick (Tara) Helwig with their children Brock, Boston, Reed, and Nash; and Bryan (Anu) Helwig with their children Avi Alexander and Ascher Ariyan. Her daughter Betty (Jim) Bassett and their three children; Jennifer (Kevin) Wadle with their children Alex, Sam, and Abby; Jeremy (Melissa) Bassett with their children Alyssa, Brayden, and Lucas; and Kristi (Doug) Bermingham with their children Liam and Caelyn. And her daughter Joanne Smith and her two children; Joey (Jenny) Smith with their children Gavin, Aubrey, Kallen, and Quentin; and Jill (Donovan) Gregoire. Nellie is preceded in death by her father Lloyd Allen Winegardner and her mother Mary Leona Chilcote Winegardner McCombs; her husband Wayne “Gus” Helwig; two sisters, Dorothy Messamaker and Wilma McKim; and one brother Junior Winegardner. Memorials will be established in Nellie’s name for the Bussey United Methodist Church and Liberty Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.winfieldfh.com. Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is assisting Nellie’s family.

Nellie (Winegardner) Helwig

July 17, 1922 - December 11, 2017