Helen Nienstedt

Helen Louise Ahrens Nienstedt passed away on March 20, 2022.  She was the widow of Herbert W. Nienstedt.

A visitation will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel on March 23, 2022. The  family will be present from 5-7 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., March 24, 2022  at Salem Lutheran Church, 1500 Salem Rd. Brenham, with Dr. Craig Dohse officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery, Brenham.

Helen was born on November 20, 1923.  She was the eleventh child of thirteen born to Lydia and Herman Ahrens of Brenham, Texas.

Family was always very important to Helen and she loved to recall the wonderful times that she had growing up on the family farm outside of Brenham.  She picked cotton, cooked, canned, was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed gardening and decorating the family’s home. Helen attended school at Berlin and attended Blinn Jr. College in Brenham.

Helen was always very active in her church and loved to serve the Lord.  She taught Sunday school for eighteen years, sang in the choir and was very active in the Mary and Martha Circle at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus where she enjoyed decorating for their conventions and served on the alter guild. She also served on the alter guild at Salem Lutheran Church for many years.

Helen married Herbert William Nienstedt on October 16,1959 in Brenham, Texas.  They lived in Columbus, Texas where she was a homemaker.  They had one daughter, Nancy.  Helen enjoyed sewing, cake decorating, dancing, crafts and working in the yard growing beautiful flowers. She was a wonderful mother and role model for her daughter.  After Helen’s husband had a stroke, she spent countless hours by his side and inspired many as to what true love and commitment are.

Helen had a son-in-law, Chuck and two grandchildren, Haylie and Ryan who she loved very much.  She enjoyed spending time with them and making crafts for the kids when they were young.

One of Helen’s favorite pastimes was playing a game called Rummikub.  She would play for hours with family and friends.

The family wishes to thank and will be forever grateful to the caregivers at Argent Court where Helen resided for the past three years.  They became a second family to Helen and surrounded her with love.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Nancy Peterson, son-in-law, Chuck Peterson, of Tomball, TX; grandchildren, Haylie Peterson of Los Angeles CA and Ryan Peterson of Houston, TX brother, Herman Ahrens and his wife Joyce, sister Mary Winkelmann, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Nienstedt was predeceased by her husband, Herbert W. Nienstedt, her parents Herman and Lydia Ahrens, brothers, Bill, Lee, Harry, Irwin and Bennie; sisters, Lilly Spreen, Lavern Vash, Hilda Tegler, Mildred Franklin and Alice Rust.

Memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church, 1500 Salem Rd., Brenham, TX, 77833 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 303 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX, 77833.

Funeral services are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833. To post a tribute to the family visit: memorialoakschapel.com