Helen E. Nichols, 91, of Muscatine, passed away Sunday, February 13, 2005, at Unity Hospital in Muscatine.

Memorials may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa 3838 70th St Ste 101 Urbandale, IA 50322.

Helen was born August 5, 1913, at Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of August and Faye Heitmann Koepping. She married Earl O. Nichols in 1936.

She and her husband owned and operated Nichols Grocery from 1947 until his death in 1953, when she continued operation until her retirement in 1996, at the age of 83.

She was a member of Faith United Church of Christ.

She will be missed by her two sons, Ron and wife Joyce and Bobby and wife Roxie all of Muscatine; four grandchildren Lynn Adams of Tennessee, Rich Nichols, Jeff Nichols and Jennifer Hendrix all of Muscatine; twelve great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters Donna Koepping and Eva Schmidt both of Muscatine; special nephew Jack Bunn, Jr.; special friend Nadine Estabrook and many other life-long friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers, three sisters and very special friend Erma Butler on Nov. 16, 2004.

(c)2005 Nichols Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Crematory