Helen J. D. Gordon, 99

Helen Johanna Dorothea Gordon was born in Marshall Township, Mower County, Minn., to Swedish immigrants Charles V. Blom and Mathilda (Malmquist) Blom on Jan. 7, 1904. She died on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at Adams Health Care Center.

When she was three years of age, the family homesteaded in Devils Lake, N.D. They had been there only one month when her mother died of typhoid fever. Her aunt, who had made the trip with them and was caring for her brother, Helen and their baby sister, also became ill with typhoid fever and died. Her father then moved the family back to Rose Creek, Minn., where the children were cared for by relatives. Some time thereafter, her father was remarried to Annie Rolf, who raised Helen, her older brother, a half-brother and a half-sister. Her baby sister had been adopted by relatives in Austin shortly after their return from North Dakota.

Helen was baptized and confirmed at Hoflanda Swedish Lutheran Church in Marshall Township and was married to Purl Gordon at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church parsonage in Austin on June 3, 1925. To this union, three daughters were born: Dorothy (Raymond) Sayles, Austin, Minn.; Lavonne (Gayle) Bergstrom, Adams, Minn.; and Carol Bloxham, Bettendorf, Iowa. They survive. Survivors also include 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The couple farmed in Windom Township until Purl's death in 1974. Helen remained on the farm until 1989 when she went to live at the Cedars of Austin, remaining there until she entered the Adams Health Care Center in October 2001. She enjoyed doing needlework and was particularly adept at the art of tatting. She was a charter member of the BBB Club, a neighborhood birthday club which has been thriving for over 60 years. She was a member of St. Olaf Church for the past 78 years and attended church circle when she was able.

Visitation will be held at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and at the church one hour before the service. Funeral services will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Roberta Flood officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Sayles, Dean Sayles, Bruce Bergstrom, Blair Bergstrom, Richard Bergstrom and Darin Bloxham.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Purl; brother, Oscar Blom; sister, May Erickson; half-brother, Clinton Blom; half-sister, Gladys Fenske; and a grandson, Mark Sayles.

Blessed be her memory.

Norbert J. Regenscheid, 76

Norbert Joseph Regenscheid, 76, of Faribault, died of Hodgkin's disease Saturday, June 21, 2003, at the Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma, Ariz.

He was born July 9, 1926, in Jesseland, to Albert and Josephine (Kavitz) Regenscheid. He was raised in Henderson and moved with his family to Cannon Falls in 1941.

On Sept. 24, 1947, he married Donna Leimer at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Wing.

Norbert worked as a steamfitter at Hormel in Austin for 37 years. The couple had lived Faribault since 1971.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Regenscheid, Faribault; sons, Thomas (Mary) Regenscheid, Austin; Jay (Sandy) Regenscheid, Faribault; daughter, Ann Knapp, Faribault; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Andrew (Sherryl), Cannon Falls; sister, Rosemary Pagel, Cannon Falls; relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Milo, Robert, Roger, Jerome, Leo and Kenneth; and sister, Fidelis Regenscheid.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2003, at the funeral home and Friday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 10 a.m. Friday, Divine Mercy Catholic Church at St. Lawrence in Faribault.

Interment: St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault.

Funeral Home: Parker Kohl Funeral Home, Faribault.

Theodore A. Ranum, 94

Theodore Alvin Ranum, 94, of Austin, died June 23, 2003, at his home.

He was born Jan. 7, 1909, to Arne and Emma (Mathieson) Ranum in Lansing Township, where he lived his entire life except during World War II. Ted served as a medic in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to 1945.

A Hormel retiree, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include brother, Arnold Ranum, Albert Lea; sisters, Cora Braaten and Milda Gemmel, both of Austin; sister-in-law, Janeth Ranum, Austin; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. today, June 25, 2003, and Thursday for one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Service: 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ronald Barnett officiating.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To St. Olaf Lutheran Church.