Helen E. Niemela

Helen Elsie Niemela, 88 of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte, Florida. 

Helen was born on August 29, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to Felix and Anna (Sivonen) Parkkila. Her father died when she was 18 months old, and she felt the loss through her life. Helen attended Lincoln High School in Ferndale, Michigan.  She married Ralph Niemela on June 27, 1952, in the Chalfonte street Apostolic Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. They lived in Michigan until 1970, after which they moved to New Hampshire for 49 years. They then moved to Florida to live with their daughter and her husband, Rebecca, and Barry Chapman. Helen was confirmed into the Detroit Apostolic Lutheran Church on June 26, 1949, by a beloved pastor, Reuben Kauppila, who was instrumental in leading her to her precious relationship with Christ. She remained a lifelong member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church. Helen studied the Bible, church history and prophesy diligently. Helen loved singing and music and participated in singing hymns on the radio with her brother, David, and sister, Alice, in her youth. She served alongside her husband, Ralph -a pastor in the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Eastern Massachusetts and Ashburnham for over 30 years. Helen loved to bring her family together for any occasion, which often led to impromptu song services at their home, of many years, in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. Helen was a dynamic woman, a leader, and one who could best be known through a common love for Christ and all things spiritual. 

 She loved her family and always wanted the best for each one. She was loved by her family and will be greatly missed. 

Helen is survived by her sister, Alice Aittama, her children Ralph (Grace) Niemela of Woodruff, South Carolina, Racheal (Arnold) Goddard of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, Rebecca (Barry) Chapman of Port Charlotte, Florida, Nancy (Scott) McLaughlin of Port Charlotte, Florida and Michael (Carol) Niemela of Henderson, Nevada, 30 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, who died eight days earlier, parents, and most of her siblings.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 10:00 AM at the Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church; 315 Winchendon Road Ashburnham, MA 01430. Her funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastors Colin Kinnunen, Robert Maki, and Michael Niemela officiating. Burial for Helen and Ralph immediately follows the funeral service at the Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church Cemetery. Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street Jaffrey, NH is in charge of arrangements.