Florence Helle

FLORENCE MABEL HELLE was born on September 23, 1930 to Arne and Hilda (Josal) Hoiland in Luverne, Minnesota. She received her confirmation at Zion Lutheran Church in Luverne. She attended Luverne High School and graduated in 1948. She furthered her education in Mankato, Minnesota and completed the teacher’s program for elementary education, graduating in 1950. She then taught elementary school in the Magnolia, Minnesota and Worthington, Minnesota districts. On June 24, 1956, Florence was united in marriage to Oscar Helle at Zion Lutheran Church in Luverne. Florence transitioned from teaching to being a homemaker and farm wife. She enjoyed her role on the farm, as she raised chickens, harvested produce from the garden, grew beautiful flowers, kept the men fed while they worked in the field and raised their four children. The couple farmed until 1990 when they then moved to the Hoiland family farm. In June of 2005, Oscar entered the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home in Luverne while Florence remained on the farm. Shortly thereafter, Oscar died on July 19, 2005. In 2017, Florence moved to The Oaks senior living apartments in Luverne and in August of 2020, she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. On January 30, 2022, Florence died peacefully in her room at the age of 91 years, 4 months and 8 days.

Florence was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She was active in Circle, quilting, and held various GLCW Board positions. She was also very involved in the community. She was a member of Lions 92 (receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award), the Extension Club, Pink Ladies, Luverne Tourist Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Maplewood Cemetery Auxiliary, and volunteered with the Magnolia Juniors 4H Club. Florence enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, needlework, traveling with friends, bowling, and volunteering. She was a very humble person and never cared to be in the spotlight of attention. She was always willing to help anyone and enjoyed actively serving her community through her membership with various organizations.

Florence is lovingly survived by her children, Barbara (Terry) Kohn of Wheaton, Illinois, Sandra (Steve) Klosterbuer of Ellsworth, Minnesota, and David (Vicki) Helle of Luverne; 7 grandchildren, Kelly (Kohn) Kohlmann, Kyle Kohn, Greg Helle, Amy (Helle) Lysne, Rachel (Helle) Horsman, Katie (Klosterbuer) Pedersen, and Casey Klosterbuer; 11 great-grandchildren, Oliver and Mira Kohlmann, Sawyer and Alexis Helle, Allison, Owen, and Madilyn Lysne, and Ezra, Eli, Cullen, and Camille Horsman; and nieces and nephews, Linda Smith, Lona Klosterbuer, Bernice Gertz, Ileen Gertz, and Wayne Gertz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Helle; son, Steven Helle; parents, Arne and Hilda Hoiland; and sister, Norma Gertz.