Obit: Nikolai, Helen M. (1921 – 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Nikolai, Stillman, Wiskow, Wisniewski, Lytwyn, Helkeof, Accurso, Schmidt, Henke

Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 18 Aug 2021

Nikolai, Helen M. (Jul 1921 – 10 Aug 2021)

Helen M. (Wiskow) Nikolai, age 100 years, Unity, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, at the home of her daughter in Spartanburg, S.C.

She was born July 1921 in the Town of Seneca, Shawano County, the daughter of the late William and Rose (Stillman) Wiskow. She graduated from Marion High School in 1940. Helen married Joseph W. Nikolai on May 1, 1943, in Wauwatosa. He preceded her in death in August 1994.

Helen and Joe operated a dairy farm in the Town of Green Grove, Clark County, from 1951 until 1976. Helen worked as a Wisconsin tax assessor. She continued to live at the family farm near Unity.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Help of Christians Catholic Church in Colby for 69 years. She was a member of Christian Mother’s and she was a 4-H leader. She loved to travel and regularly traveled with her children anywhere in the world: Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Canada, Mexico and most of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Her hobbies included gardening, bird watching, reading, word and picture puzzles.

She is survived by her six children: Mary Jo Wisniewski of Fla., Pat Lytwyn of Minn., Genevieve (Jim) Helkeof S.C., Karen Nikolai of Tenn., Jerome (Ann) Nikolai of Wis. and Karla (Joe) Accurso of Fla.; as well as eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Bessie Wiskow and Ann Nikolai. In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was predeceased by sisters: Laura Schmidt, Ruth Henke and Lila Schultz; twin brothers: Marvin (infant) and Melvin; and Earl Wiskow; sons-in-law: Alvin Wisniewski and Eugene Lytwyn; fourteen brothers-in law, and nine sisters-in-law.

A funeral mass was held in the Historic Church at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Spartanburg, S.C., on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at 11 a.m. A graveside service will held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Colby.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Msgr. Malik Educational Fund, c/o St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 205 South 2nd Street, Colby, WI, 54421-0436.

The family is being assisted by Dunbar Funeral Home, Roebuck, S.C. https://www.jmdunbar.com.