Helen Nichols

Des Moines

Helen Nichols, 87, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. A time to celebrate Helen’s life will be Wednesday, October 28, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Scottish Rite Park, 2909 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312.

Helen was born November 2, 1927 in White Sands Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada to Fred A. and Polly (Chernoff) Horkoff. As a teenager she moved from Saskatchewan to Toronto where she attended high school. She worked for Massey Harris for nine years in the printing department. On September 11, 1953 Helen married Kent O. Nichols in Toronto. The couple were blessed with 60 years of marriage and four children; Paula, Catherine, Hilary and Kimberly. Helen enjoyed gardening, shopping, baking and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her children, Paula (Tom) Hatch, Cathy Nichols, Hilary (Tim) Lindell and Kim (Dan) Shelburg; grandchildren, Jay (Lina), Charlie, Nicole, Brittany, Cullen, Nellie and Kent; one great-grandchild, Kora; sister-in-law, Dorotha McKee and brother-in-law, Don Nichols. Helen was a supportive mother. She always said “don’t marry a doctor, be a doctor” letting her four daughters know that they could always be anything they wanted to be. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kent O. Nichols and brother, Fred (Carol) Horkoff.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center for the care and devotion to Helen and her late husband Kent. Their final years were wonderfully improved with their help.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Furry Friends Refuge.