Helen Kill

Funeral services for Helen Kill of Morris will be held Monday, March 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Emmy Swedlund officiating at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris. A public visitation will be held at Pedersen Funeral home on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Monday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Morris at a later date.

Helen Marie Irene (Benson) Kill was born to John and Carrie (Oneson) Benson on August 28, 1929 in Framnas Township Stevens County, Minnesota. She was the first girl born to John and Carrie after welcoming six boys. Her younger sister Joan joined the family a few years later.

Helen was confirmed at St Petri Lutheran Church in Cyrus and attended country school district 28 near Cyrus until finishing the eighth grade. Upon entering the ninth grade, she moved to Morris to attend high school where she did house keeping for her room and board.

After graduation in 1947, Helen took a job at Production Credit Association (PCA) in Morris for five years and in Alexandria for another two years. During this time Helen met Frederick Kill at a dance and the couple would meet weekly in Starbuck so that he could drive her home to Long Lake for the weekends. The couple were married on October 6, 1956 and lived in Morris where they welcomed five children: Lynn, Jean, Gerald, Thomas, and Lyle.

Helen worked for the Stevens County ASC Office then Stahler & Giberson, Attorneys at Law and finally worked for the Federal government at the North Central Soil Conservation Research Center (NCSCRC). She retired from the NCSCRC after 29 years. During that period she also worked taxes part-time for various tax offices.

When the kids were in school Helen was involved with Parents and Teachers Association of St. Mary’s School as the secretary and a Girl Scout Leader. During her career and retirement, Helen was involved with many other social organizations and groups such as VFW Auxiliary, Quilting Group, American Legion Auxiliary, GFWC Morris Student Club, Stevens County Genealogy Society, and Sons of Norway. Additionally, she was the church recorder for 5 years for Faith Lutheran Church where she worshiped. She was very giving of her time to social groups and especially Veterans groups throughout her life.

Helen and Fred celebrated 55 years of marriage. Fred passed away on October 31, 2011; she lost her dance partner and life-long mate.

Helen lived a long and happy life, that she loved to document with a camera always in hand. Helen passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at the St. Cloud Hospital; she was 93 years old.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Lynn (Gary) Koos of Starbuck, Jean (Don) Eich of Hutchinson, Gerald (Viola) Kill of Brooklyn Park, Thomas (Judy Mikkola) Kill of Minneapolis, Lyle (Tracy) Kill of Minneapolis; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister, Joan Dablow of Mankato; sister-in-law, Elsie Kill of Benson; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Carrie and John Benson; her husband, Fred Kill; brothers: Hilmer (Irene) Benson, Onie (Marjorie) Benson, Norris (Mildred) Benson, Sophus Benson, and James (Adeline) Benson; infant sister, Shirley Benson; and brother-in-law, Ed Dablow.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS PLEASE DONATE TO A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE IN HELEN'S MEMORY

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Helen.