Darlene E. Helland, 89

Published 10:52 am Thursday, February 9, 2017

Darlene E. Helland, 89

Darlene E. Helland, 89, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, at her apartment at Primrose Assisted Living in Austin.

Darlene Evangelyn Helland was born April 12, 1927, at Harmony, Minnesota, the daughter of Erwin and Doris (Madson) Johnson. She graduated from Austin High School and the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. Darlene was married to Gordon N. Helland on June 22, 1947, at Rochester. They lived in Austin where Darlene was a nurse, working with Dr. Fred Bogott at the Austin Medical Clinic until her retirement at age 72. After her retirement, Darlene did volunteer work with the Mayo Health Systems Hospice program in Austin.

Darlene was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir for many years. She enjoyed doing needlework, gardening and traveling, but particularly loved spending time at the lake cabin.

Darlene is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Barbara and Jerry Neubauer, Stewartville, Minnesota, and Beth Wood, Rochester; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; special friend, Hiram Jensen, Austin; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; sons, Bruce and Brian; son-in-law, Tom Wood; and two brothers, Neil and Eldon Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Todd Portinga, AiM officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service.