Helen Lawson

Helen Virginia Fynboh Lawson was born January 12, 1919 in Lyon County, Minnesota to Carl & Cora Fynboh. While still an infant her family moved to the Sebeka, MN area where she grew up. She was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church. During her senior year of high school, her family moved to a farm near Donnelly, MN. Helen stayed behind with friends so she could graduate from high school. She was introduced to Lawrence Lee Lawson by her friend and future sister-in-law, Ida. Larry & Helen were married on July 5, 1938 in Sisseton, SD. A quote from Helen’s book “And I Remember”, ‘Larry- my love from first sight, my husband for over 60 years’. They farmed in Pepperton Township until 1955, when they moved into Alberta to operate the restaurant there. In 1957, they purchased a farm just north of Alberta where they lived for 40 years. In 1998 they moved to Herman, MN.

Helen & Larry were a great team working together building & fixing things, keeping huge vegetable gardens and beautiful flower beds. They enjoyed planning parties and cooking for family gatherings. They were active in their church, serving in several capacities. Wedding gifts, birthday gifts, shower gifts, Christmas gifts were all hand made and treasured by family and friends. Helen had many hobbies-sewing, needlework, quilting, playing cards, gardening, cooking, reading, bible studies, painting and loved to sit around visiting with friends and family.

Helen passed away peacefully on August 10, 2009 at her home in Herman, MN having reached the age of 90 years.

She is survived by her seven children: Barbara (Ralph) Cook of Glenwood, MN; Sharon (David) Austvold and Karen Stephens of Herman, MN;  Ken (Sharon) Lawson of Centerville, GA;  Alta (Ronald) Carlson of Benson, MN;  Susan (David) Rissanen of Ledyard, CT; Rex Lawson of Ostrander, MN.  Eighteen grandchildren and forty-one great grand children.  A sister: Laurine Cook, of Morris, MN and a brother: Paul (Sally) Fynboh of Pine River, MN; three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. Also many nieces & nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents (Carl & Cora), her husband (Larry), six brothers (Howard, Johnnie, Laurence, Ralph, Robert, Raymond), four grandchildren (Charles, Brooke, Peter & Mitchell) and one great grandchild (Isabella).

Pallbearers for the service are Helen’s grandsons: Greg Stephens, Vince Cook, Tim Lawson, Mike Austvold, Eric Carlson and Kris Wiese. Honorary pallbearers are Helen’s granddaughters: Giny Itzen, Tamie Bremseth, Wanda Fischer, Shelly Maurer, Cindy Suedkamp, Tanya Robillard, Kirsten Kleven, Heather Montonye, Amie Carlson, Tricia Zeller, Angela Lawson and Melissa Lawson. Lois Bartell will serve as organist for the service with Jerry and Junice Bryson serving as soloists. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.