1923
Helen
2007
Helen Olson
February 24, 1923 — October 6, 2007
Helen Rose Olson (Mrs. Howard K. Olson) passed away Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Helen was born Helen Rose Gerl on February 24, 1923 in Newald, Wisconsin to Edward and Stella (Novak) Gerl. She attended high school in Green Bay, Wisconsin and following graduation in 1940 trained as a medical laboratory technician at the Northwest Institute of Technology in Minneapolis.
A new job in Minnesota led Helen to Morris. She arrived by train and was met by Dr. Fred Behmler and his wife who shared their home for Helen?s first night in Morris.
Helen met Howard while working at the Behmler clinic. They were married in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 7, 1947 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls before returning to the family farm in Morris. She joined First Lutheran Church and remained a life-long member.
Helen and Howard raised grain and livestock on their Framnas Township farm. In their early years of marriage, the couple also operated a custom combining business and followed the harvest season from Texas to Montana.
Their two children, Kenneth and Karen, were born and raised on the family farm. Helen cared for the home, yards, and gardens and helped Howard with the farm, making lunches, hauling fuel, and going for repair parts. Together they enjoyed coffee and card parties with their neighbors, fishing, travel, and visits with relatives.
In 1979 Helen and Howard retired from farming and were able to travel and enjoy their five growing grandchildren. Winters were spent in Alamo, Texas where their lives were shared and enriched by many friends. In Minnesota, Helen was known by her grandchildren for her special meals, cooking and baking in her German/Bohemian style and her wonderful fun-loving spirit.
Helen and Howard lived at the farm until 1997 when they moved to Morris to Skyview Court. When health issues resulted in Howard?s move to the nursing home, Helen faithfully visited him daily and continued to maintain the farm. After Howard?s death on September 28, 2000, Helen continued to live independently at her home and enjoyed visits from friends, family, and trips to the farm and other events. She was a regular volunteer worker at the Senior Center and thrived on maintaining her connection with others in the community.
Helen battled heart disease and its complications. She fought hard with heroic courage and determination to maintain her health and enjoy life until she passed away in the hospital with her family by her side early Saturday morning, October 6, 2007.
Helen is survived by her son Kenneth, Morris; daughter Karen (Gene Helle) Onamia, MN; five grandchildren: Kristin Helle, St. Paul; Aaron (Jaymie) Helle, Delano, MN; Jon Helle, Arden Hills, MN; Caitlin and Kyle Helle, Onamia, MN; and two brothers: Reggie Gerl, Green Bay, WI; and Neil Gerl, Ann Arbor, MI.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her parents Edward and Stella Gerl, brother Eddie Gerl, Jr., sisters Arlene Belott and Fern Verhagen, and nephew Edward Gerl, III.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is coordinating arrangements.
Helen was born Helen Rose Gerl on February 24, 1923 in Newald, Wisconsin to Edward and Stella (Novak) Gerl. She attended high school in Green Bay, Wisconsin and following graduation in 1940 trained as a medical laboratory technician at the Northwest Institute of Technology in Minneapolis.
A new job in Minnesota led Helen to Morris. She arrived by train and was met by Dr. Fred Behmler and his wife who shared their home for Helen?s first night in Morris.
Helen met Howard while working at the Behmler clinic. They were married in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 7, 1947 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls before returning to the family farm in Morris. She joined First Lutheran Church and remained a life-long member.
Helen and Howard raised grain and livestock on their Framnas Township farm. In their early years of marriage, the couple also operated a custom combining business and followed the harvest season from Texas to Montana.
Their two children, Kenneth and Karen, were born and raised on the family farm. Helen cared for the home, yards, and gardens and helped Howard with the farm, making lunches, hauling fuel, and going for repair parts. Together they enjoyed coffee and card parties with their neighbors, fishing, travel, and visits with relatives.
In 1979 Helen and Howard retired from farming and were able to travel and enjoy their five growing grandchildren. Winters were spent in Alamo, Texas where their lives were shared and enriched by many friends. In Minnesota, Helen was known by her grandchildren for her special meals, cooking and baking in her German/Bohemian style and her wonderful fun-loving spirit.
Helen and Howard lived at the farm until 1997 when they moved to Morris to Skyview Court. When health issues resulted in Howard?s move to the nursing home, Helen faithfully visited him daily and continued to maintain the farm. After Howard?s death on September 28, 2000, Helen continued to live independently at her home and enjoyed visits from friends, family, and trips to the farm and other events. She was a regular volunteer worker at the Senior Center and thrived on maintaining her connection with others in the community.
Helen battled heart disease and its complications. She fought hard with heroic courage and determination to maintain her health and enjoy life until she passed away in the hospital with her family by her side early Saturday morning, October 6, 2007.
Helen is survived by her son Kenneth, Morris; daughter Karen (Gene Helle) Onamia, MN; five grandchildren: Kristin Helle, St. Paul; Aaron (Jaymie) Helle, Delano, MN; Jon Helle, Arden Hills, MN; Caitlin and Kyle Helle, Onamia, MN; and two brothers: Reggie Gerl, Green Bay, WI; and Neil Gerl, Ann Arbor, MI.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her parents Edward and Stella Gerl, brother Eddie Gerl, Jr., sisters Arlene Belott and Fern Verhagen, and nephew Edward Gerl, III.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is coordinating arrangements.
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