1911
Helen
2005
Helen Ryhn
May 24, 1911 — August 19, 2005
Helen was born on a farm northeast of Morris on May 24, 1911 to Aldis and Bessie (McDougal) Brisbane. She was baptized into the Christian faith in the Congregational Church by Reverend H. H. Symans. Helen graduated from Morris High School in 1929 and then attended Moorhead State Teachers College. Upon completion of her Teachers Degree, she taught in Rochester, Clearwater and Morris. Helen married Elmor Carl Ryhn on December 12, 1938 and joined First Lutheran Church. Elmor, who owned and operated Ryhn Dry Cleaners for many years, died at age 82 in 1981.
Helen was always active in musical activities and sang in First Lutheran Choir in addition to teaching Sunday school and participating in ALCW. She also contributed her musical talents as organist for prayer services at the Villa of St. Francis and pianist for Tops Club and Eastern Star. She was a longtime member of the Eastern Star, Corinthian Chapter. Helen also enjoyed being visitation hostess at the Olson-Peterson Funeral Chapel. In 1997 Helen moved to the Villa of St. Francis (now West Wind Village) from West Central Lutheran Homes. At West Wind Village she enjoyed and participated in the activities and continued to play the piano until her death. The West Wind Village truly was Helen's "home", and she loved all the residents and staff that surrounded her each day. She particularly loved the UMM Poetry Group.
Helen always kept her positive outlook on life and also tried to bring some sunshine into the lives of those around her. Failing sight and health did not diminish her love of life and love for her family.
Helen died on Friday, August 19, 2005 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 94 years.
She is survived by her daughter: Penny Freeman of Edina; five grandsons: William Freeman of Alexandria, Jon (Diane) Freeman of Chanhassen, Stefan (Michele) Freeman of St. Cloud, Steven (Theresa) Ryhn of Oakdale and Michael (Bernadette) Ryhn of Fayette, NC; ten great-grandchildren: Rachel, Mitchell and Will Freeman; Conor and Alex Freeman; Mikey and Silas Ryhn and Aine, Alyssa and Saoirse Ryhn and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her precious son: Peter Robert Ryhn; her parents; one brother: Robert Brisbane and three sisters: Baby Alice, Beatrice Hein and Marie Sagvold Scott.
Pallbearers for the service are Helen's Grandsons. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Mary Huebner serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
The family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Church, the Stevens County Museum, the Stevens County Historical Society or the West Wind Village Piano Fund.
Helen was always active in musical activities and sang in First Lutheran Choir in addition to teaching Sunday school and participating in ALCW. She also contributed her musical talents as organist for prayer services at the Villa of St. Francis and pianist for Tops Club and Eastern Star. She was a longtime member of the Eastern Star, Corinthian Chapter. Helen also enjoyed being visitation hostess at the Olson-Peterson Funeral Chapel. In 1997 Helen moved to the Villa of St. Francis (now West Wind Village) from West Central Lutheran Homes. At West Wind Village she enjoyed and participated in the activities and continued to play the piano until her death. The West Wind Village truly was Helen's "home", and she loved all the residents and staff that surrounded her each day. She particularly loved the UMM Poetry Group.
Helen always kept her positive outlook on life and also tried to bring some sunshine into the lives of those around her. Failing sight and health did not diminish her love of life and love for her family.
Helen died on Friday, August 19, 2005 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 94 years.
She is survived by her daughter: Penny Freeman of Edina; five grandsons: William Freeman of Alexandria, Jon (Diane) Freeman of Chanhassen, Stefan (Michele) Freeman of St. Cloud, Steven (Theresa) Ryhn of Oakdale and Michael (Bernadette) Ryhn of Fayette, NC; ten great-grandchildren: Rachel, Mitchell and Will Freeman; Conor and Alex Freeman; Mikey and Silas Ryhn and Aine, Alyssa and Saoirse Ryhn and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her precious son: Peter Robert Ryhn; her parents; one brother: Robert Brisbane and three sisters: Baby Alice, Beatrice Hein and Marie Sagvold Scott.
Pallbearers for the service are Helen's Grandsons. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Mary Huebner serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
The family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Church, the Stevens County Museum, the Stevens County Historical Society or the West Wind Village Piano Fund.
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