Helen Nickel Froese was born December 19, 1922, in Hillsboro, KS, to Isaac and Lena Krause Nickel. At the age of 92, she died May 2, 2015, at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital, never regaining consciousness after gall bladder surgery on April 26. She was predeceased by her mother and father; sisters Rose Baerg, Sally Cline, and Erna Jones; husband, Albert Froese (1999) and daughter, Grace Gehle (2013). At the age of 13, after her mother's death, Helen moved from Kansas to California with her 3 older sisters and her now single father. She attended Shafter High School and became best friends with Ruby Froese, who had an older brother, Albert. On December 22, 1940, just months after her high school graduation and days after her 18th birthday, Helen and Albert were married on a Sunday afternoon in the First Mennonite Church of Shafter. Four girls and one boy were born in the next seven years. Albert's sister, Ruby, married Gene Yeager that same year. Their 4 children became good friends with their Froese cousins and had many happy times together. Ruby and Gene were an awesome aunt and uncle. Albert and Helen lived on Kirschenman property while Albert was a farm laborer until 1978, when he retired. In February, 1949, the family moved into the "big house" on Fresno Avenue. Helen had a huge kitchen to work in. They lived there 31 years. In 1990, Albert and Helen moved from the farm to town, where they became first-time homeowners. Helen was an excellent homemaker, keeping busy with her 5 children. She taught her children the skills of cooking, canning and freezing the produce Albert grew in his immaculate, productive gardens. She also made bread and zweibachs on a regular basis and one daughter learned the trick of making wonderful zweibachs. Helen sewed for the girls and when the 3 younger girls were dressed alike as toddlers, they looked like triplets. Helen stayed home with her family until the late 60's when she went to work for Clara Schnaidt Real Estate and Insurance. She efficiently kept the office functioning for 30 years, as the secretary/bookkeeper, keeping track of sales, rentals and preparing taxes. Although 5 children under age 7 were a handful, Albert and Helen had them in church and Sunday School every Sunday. Family and church activities were very important to these young parents, as well as instilling a strong work ethic in their lives. Attending college was a goal Albert and Helen encouraged. They attended the First Mennonite Church in Shafter, where Helen taught Sunday School, was church clerk and devoted time to the women's ministry. When the First Mennonite Church disbanded in 1960, Albert and Helen transferred their membership to the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church. Helen continued to be involved in the women's ministry and attended church regularly. Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved getting together to celebrate birthdays and have family meals. She was an avid card player and the Froese family had a favorite game they called, "2 runs and a book," a kind of progressive rummy game. She loved to read and was always grateful for her eyesight. She enjoyed family sing-a-longs. When Albert developed Alzheimer's, Helen kept him in their home on Ann Avenue as long as she was physically able to handle him. She was a devoted wife and caregiver for her husband of 58 years. He was moved to the Alzheimer unit of the Shafter Convalescent Home in 1998 and on January 29, 1999, after a fall, died from blunt trauma to his brain. After Helen had a fall that left her right arm paralyzed, she moved into assisted living in Carrington of Shafter and became a popular and loved resident. Before Grace died, she and Nancy were companions to Helen and cared for her needs in many loving ways. They encouraged Helen to join in activities at Carrington, so Helen started playing cards and putting together puzzles in the Activity Room. Grace kept a supply of puzzles there, and Helen became known as the "puzzle lady" of Carrington. After Grace's death, her other daughter, Nancy, who lived in Shafter continued being Helen's companion. Helen appreciated visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren and lavished praise and love on them. They all loved and appreciated her and enjoyed talking to her and hearing her stories. During the past 2 years, Helen was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and took a few falls. She was getting weaker and not feeling well this past month. On April 25, it was determined that she had a bad gall bladder that needed to be removed. Surgery was scheduled for Friday, April 24. Because of complications from her irregular heartbeat, the surgery didn't happen until Sunday, April 26. Helen never regained consciousness and died on Saturday, May 2. Helen is survived by 3 daughters, Carol Kirchmer and husband Don, Newton, KS; Nancy Enns and husband John, Shafter; Donna Froese, Wichita, KS. She is also survived by her only son, Art Froese, San Luis Obispo; 8 grandchildren, Kimberly Kirchmer, Bakersfield; Stacy Enns, Bakersfield; Jason Kirchmer and wife, Kim, Wichita, KS; Samuel Schrag and wife Rachel, St. Louis, MO; Joseph Schrag, Colorado Springs, CO; Steve Enns and wife Stacie, Shafter; John Gehle & wife Jessica, Westlake Village, CA; Mary Lara and husband, Loreto, Shafter. Her 13 great grandchildren are: Kayleigh, Kenna & Jackson Dinsdale; Lenea & Vincente Lara; Emily, Molly & Ryan Enns; Aiden & Bailey Kirchmer; Julia & James Gehle; Jonah Voth Schrag. A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at Shafter Cemetery, with memorial service following at 11:00 in the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Rev. Pat Coyle will conduct the services.