Helen M. Nuxoll

Helen M. Nuxoll, 86, of Cottonwood, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at home with her husband by her side. Helen was born January 13, 1939, in Wilbur, Washington, to Harry and Mabel
(Warren) Covert.

She was raised and attended school in Harrington, Washington, where she was active in the tennis and debate teams. She graduated in 1957 but was not permitted to participate in the commencement ceremony due to her "motherly condition." Shortly after graduation, she married Morgan Jannot, with whom they had four children: Gary, Pamela, David "Rusty", and Morgan "Mick". The marriage ended in divorce.

Helen married Chet Berg and became the proud stepmother of his three children, Charmain, Cliff, and Charlie. In 1973, Helen and Chet followed his work friend Harold Ross to Cottonwood, where Chet found employment with Seubert Excavators. Chet and Helen were quickly adopted by the VonBargen hunting clan, where they happily became close friends with Dolly and Lee VonBargen, Ellen and Dick VonBargen, and Doreen and Ernie Nuxoll. These deep friendships continued even after Chet's passing in 1977.

On February 1, 1978, Helen and Roy Nuxoll were married by a Justice of the Peace in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, witnessed by Annette and Ed Holland (Chet's favorite duck hunting buddy). After a honeymoon in Hawaii, Roy and Helen returned to life in Cottonwood, where Helen became part of the large Nuxoll family wherein she felt very loved. Within their marriage, she became a Catholic, and Roy and Helen's marriage was blessed.

After 47 beautiful years with Roy, all were in awe that she had no gray hair. Albeit she may have caused others to grow a few!

Helen was an avid reader and enjoyed relaxing with a good book. She loved children, and that love was reciprocated. Her family enjoyed her quick wit and ability to make people laugh. She enjoyed singing, piano, playing bridge, 500, and pinochle. Receiving the local "Best Flower Garden of the Year" award stemmed from her joy of flower gardening. She hand-planted and nurtured over 1,100 trees and bushes to create the best windbreak on the Camas Prairie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Rusty Jannot, stepson Cliff Berg, and siblings: Jim Covert, Merna Porsche, Patti Covert, and Harriet Hayden.

Helen is survived by her husband Roy, sister Eileen Tanke, children Gary Jannot, Pamela (Lonnie) Warnecke, Mick (Jody) Jannot, stepchildren Charmain Berg and Charlie Berg; seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cottonwood, with a memorial mass to follow at 2:30 pm. Burial will take place at Cottonwood Catholic Cemetery. A private luncheon will follow the graveside service.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com. In Helen's memory, donations can be made to a charity that supports the poor.