Helen Heintzelman

A private funeral service will be held for Helen Heintzelman at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, Minnesota.

There will be a live stream of Helen’s service starting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020.  To view the service on the Pedersen Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Helen’s page and click the link.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Helen June Heintzelman, of Morris, Minnesota, passed away on October 2, 2020, at Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood, at the age of 88. Helen was born June on 2, 1932, to Martin Hans and Ruth O.C. (Anderson) Hawkinson in Morris. Both of Helen’s parents were of Norwegian heritage. She grew up in Morris and graduated from Morris Public School in 1951. A few years later, Helen married Lloyd Heintzelman on September 4, 1954, at Assumption Catholic Church. They were happily married for the next 66 years. Before marriage, Helen was raised in Lutheran faith and took religious education classes to join the Catholic Church. She was baptized on February 11, 1953, had her first communion on February 15, 1953, and was confirmed on October 17, 1954 at Assumption Catholic Church. Helen and Lloyd continued to live in Morris and raise their two children, Jill and Jon.

Helen was a librarian at St. Mary’s Catholic School and later helped in the 1st grade classroom. During her lifetime, she was a librarian aid for 27 years at Morris Public Schools and was known as “Mrs. H.” A quote from her retirement speech, “I had the greatest job in the whole world working with kids- they are special and I hope I’ve made an difference in their lives- I believe if you treat kids with respect they will respect you.”

She taught CCD classes, worked the RCIA program, and served on the Parish Council. She was very involved in her community and simply enjoyed helping people. Helen and Jill were on the initial Fundraising Committee for SCMC Courage Cottage and fundraised for 13 years. She was involved in decorating the Assumption Catholic Church and was a part of the basket committee.

Helen had many passions and was very crafty. She enjoyed decorating the church, crafting, creating floral arrangements, and calligraphy. She also loved shopping. Helen was most passionate about helping and caring for others. She enjoyed fundraising and spending quality time with her family.  She will be greatly missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Heintzelman of Morris; daughter, Jill (Sheldon) Kutzler of Alberta; grandson, Josh Heintzelman of Nelson; sister, Carol (Jerry) Daas of Alexandria, and numerous nieces and nephews, and caring friends. She is preceded in death by her son, Jon Heintzelman; daughter-in-law Laurie Heintzelman; infant grand-daughter, Melissa Sue Heintzelman, daughter of Jon and Barb; parents, Martin Hans and Ruth O.C. (Anderson) Hawkinson; sister, Beverly Gray; brother-in-law, Dr. Grant G. Gray, and nephew Dan Gray.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Assumption Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and SCMC Courage Cottage.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Helen.