Helen Catherine Nies

HELEN C. NIES HIGHLAND, IN
Helen Catherine Nies, 91, of Highland, IN passed away on October 13, 2015. She is survived by her three children, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter: her son James Winfred and his wife Patricia of Dayton, OH; their children Michael of San Diego, CA, and Sara of New York City, NY; her daughter Judith Anne of Highland, who was her devoted caregiver in the last years of her life; her son Thomas Alan and his wife Denise of Portsmouth, NH; and their children's families of Kathryn Nies Brigham, Jordan Brigham, and Riley Winter Brigham of Somerville, MA; and Rebecca Nies Barnwell and Paul Barnwell of Louisville, KY. She is also survived by her nephew Warren Raybould and his wife Sherry of Raleigh, NC, and her niece Marilyn Wilson and her husband Eric Wilson of Port St. Lucie, FL. In addition, Helen was very close to all of her Nies relatives, and always considered the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of her long-time friends the Mossmans and Martins as family. Helen was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband of 64 years, Winfred, and her brother James Raybould. Helen was born November 11, 1923, the second child and only daughter of Chester A. Raybould and Helen Dumont Raybould. The family lived in Chicago until her father passed away when she was 11 years old, and then lived in various cities in Illinois and Michigan. Helen attended high school at Benzonia High School, Benzonia, MI, where she met her lifelong friend Claire Lashbrook of Elko, NV. She and Claire proved quite the duo in the small high school and had many an escapade. After high school, Helen moved to Chicago where she worked as a clerk typist for several companies. In 1942, she attended a USO dance where she met Winfred "Windy" Nies, a sailor from Java, SD. They married in Quonset Point, Rhode Island and resided in Providence until he was deployed to North Africa. After the war they lived for several years in Chicago, where their first son was born. Their time in Chicago was blessed by friendships that formed with several other young couples - friendships that lasted for the rest of their lives and that have continued over three generations. They moved to Highland, IN in 1951 and joined Our Lady of Grace Church, which she attended until her passing. Helen ("Peaches") and Windy raised their three children and never moved from the home that they bought that year. Over the years, Helen worked as a bookkeeper for Our Lady of Grace parish in Highland, St. John the Evangelist parish in St. John, and St. John Bosco parish in Hammond. She was an avid bowler for many years and was proud of winning her league's championship in 1970. Helen was a founding member and treasurer of a neighborhood bunco club that met for over sixty years. Beginning in the late 1970's, Helen and Windy spent many happy summer days in a small house in Michigan, thanks to the generosity of her friend Claire, and they soon developed a second circle of Michigan friends. They travelled widely throughout the U.S. in retirement, visiting relatives and friends from Florida to Alaska. She took great pride in her grandchildren, and was thrilled at the birth of her first great-granddaughter last fall. Helen always loved a party, and the house in Highland was the scene of many a lively gathering of friends and family. Holidays were often celebrated with the families they met in Chicago after the war. She felt particularly welcomed by Windy's extended family that included the spouses, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of his seven brothers and sisters. She thoroughly enjoyed the Nies family reunions, where she schooled the younger generation in cribbage, and never refused a well-made margarita. She and her sisters-in-law were the leaders of the outlaws and made sure the reunions were never dull. She was generous to all, welcoming new neighbors into the area and always willing to help others in need. Helen's infectious laugh and loving nature brought joy to everyone she met. Funeral Services will be held Saturday October 17, 2015 beginning with prayers at 10:00 a.m. at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 2828 Highway Ave., Highland, IN with a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, Highland, IN with burial at St. John Cemetery, Hammond, IN. Visitations will be held Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. www.fagenmiller.com