Helen B. Nelsen (1906-1996) was born as a somewhat unexpected "gift" to her 46 year old mother and to, what appeared to be, an already complete family portrait. She was also quite an unexpected gift to our community and those who were lucky enough to know her.

Living her life, from beginning to end in the Nelsen family home, she felt nostalgic for a time when the property was "nothing but hay" while feeling rewarded by her role in the development of the community in the face of inevitable change. An honor roll student at Foster High, she was active and popular. She attended the University of Washington (then Metropolitan Business College). In 1926, she started her banking career at People's National Bank. She was named pro-manager in 1944 and assistant manager in 1955. Meantime, she had been appointed to fill an unexpired Tukwila Council term to which she was reelected, active in Tukwila's government, eight years on the planning commission, part owner of the Independent water company (with her sister, Sidonia), countless business and real estate deals, and, of course, her careful dedication to perhaps the only constant amongst a lifetime of change--the stately home where she lived her life. Her heartfelt commitment to history and preservation continues still in her endowment of the Nelsen Family Residence Historical Trust, ensuring that there is always a place where history and tradition are alive and well. In remarkable contrast to shopping malls, freeways, industrial parks, and the like, there is an oasis where once you enter you can feel what it was like when hops were king in the White River Valley.