Helen B. Meyer

HELEN BERTINA MEYER was born in Hurley, Wisconsin, on April 9, 1916, to Tom and Inga (Hylle) Borgum. During her childhood, they moved to Luverne, Minnesota, where Helen graduated from Luverne High School in 1933. She worked for Hansen and Engan law office from 1933 to 1939. On November 19, 1939, Helen was united in marriage to Loren Meyer at her parent’s home in Luverne. The couple made their home on Loren’s family farm near Ellsworth, Minnesota.

Helen was active in the Ellsworth school, church, and community affairs. She served as PTA president, Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, extension club officer and 4-H leader. She was also active in the Luverne chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was proud to be chosen as Rock County Rural Homemaker of the Year in 1962. One of her unique hobbies was collecting new and used eye glasses and sending them to “New Eyes for the Needy.”

After being a homemaker for 25 years and raising three children, Helen decided to go back to work. She first worked as a secretary for Attorney Walter A. Tofteland for five years and then became Deputy Clerk of the Rock County court for six years. She retired in 1975.

Helen and Loren moved into Luverne in 1979. Helen was a member of the United Methodist Church where she was active in the UMW and circle meetings. She was a member of the “Pink Ladies” Hospital Auxiliary and a Hospice volunteer. The couple enjoyed wintering in Phoenix, Arizona, for over 20 years, as well as taking tours and traveling to various countries. Throughout her life, she enjoyed getting together with family and friends, dancing, playing cards, crafting, reading and doing crossword puzzles.

When Loren passed away in 2003, she moved to Eagle Grove, Iowa, to be closer to her daughter and family. She moved back to Luverne and resided at Poplar Creek Estates in 2007. Most recently, she lived at Central Health Care in LeCenter, Minnesota, to be near her family. On February 22, 2016, Helen died at the Mankato Hospital – Mayo Health Center in Mankato, Minnesota, at the age of 99 years, ten months and 17 days.

Helen will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Carol (Tom) Goretzki of Scottsdale, AZ, and Donna (Joel) Michalson of Waterville, MN; six grandchildren, Lindy (Scott) Pfaltzgraff, Jared (Alison) Michalson, Ross (Tina) Michalson, Jamie (Justin) Rutledge, Mark (Brandy) Goretzki, and Brian (Jennifer) Goretzki; three great-grandchildren, Connor and Logan Pfaltzgraff, and Meyer Michalson. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Loren; son, Dale Meyer; and her great-grandchild, Hayley Pfaltzgraff.