Helen Alice Hollingsworth

HELEN ALICE HOLLINGSWORTH was born to Felix and Rose (Dousman) Huens on February 15, 1918 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. When she was three years old, her mother died so Helen moved to Gladstone, Michigan to live with William and Emily Budzis. Emily was her aunt and father’s sister. She attended All Saints Parochial School and then Gladstone High School. After her graduation in 1937, she was employed as the receptionist and bookkeeper at the Phil Hupy Insurance Agency for three years. In 1941, Helen moved to Waukegan, Illinois where she worked for Burt Love, JP, doing general office work involved with licenses, insurance and Justice of the Peace work. While living in Illinois, she met Leonard Hollingsworth who was from Walnut Grove, Minnesota and stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base. They were united in marriage on April 3, 1943. When World War II was over, they moved to Tracy, Minnesota where they lived for 15 years. In 1962, they moved to Ihlen, Minnesota; and in 1963, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. While living in Pipestone, Helen was employed part-time for the Motor Vehicle Department. Then, from 1967 to 1968, she worked in the office of Pan-O-Gold Bakery. From 1968 through 1971, she was employed in the office of the Pipestone County Hospital; and from 1971 through 1972, she was Dr. Pandiscio’s receptionist. At that time, she became employed full-time at Fey Industries in Edgerton, Minnesota until her semi-retirement in 1975 when she helped out in the area sewing factories. She also worked on crafts and attended area craft shows. From 2001 until 2006, Helen worked in the office, gift shop and gallery at the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers in Pipestone. In 2013, Helen began devoting countless hours to sewing items for children in need. Throughout these past years she sewed 784 pinless diapers, 165 pairs of shorts, and 383 sundresses. In 2017, Helen entered into the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where she resided until her final days. On Friday, March 15, 2019 she entered into the Pipestone County Hospice House where she passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2019, at the age of 101 years, one month, and three days.

Helen was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. She loved dancing, playing cards and playing bingo. She enjoyed doing needlework and sewing and putting together puzzles. She thoroughly enjoyed going to the casino and gambling.

She is lovingly remembered by her five children, Allan (Linda) Hollingsworth of Pipestone, Minnesota, Douglas (Elyse) Hollingsworth of Leesburg, Florida, Judy Graves of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Debra Woelber and Gail (Dan) Knutson, both of Buffalo, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and one sister, Norma Jarvis of Gladstone, Michigan. She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; her son, Dale; her grandson, Robert; and her sister, Sister Constantia of the Order of St. Agnes.