Helen Fitzer

HELEN VIOLA FITZER was born June 4, 1926 to Julius and Katherine (Johansen) Stein in Brookings, South Dakota. She moved to Rock County in Minnesota in 1936 where she graduated from Luverne High School in 1944. Following school, she was employed at Creeger’s Clothing Store in Luverne as a bookkeeper. She married Maurice Fitzer on April 9, 1948 at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The couple made their home south of Luverne on the Fitzer family farm. Helen took on the role of farm wife and loved being home throughout the years with the couple’s three boys. In 1983, the family farm transitioned to their son, Geff, and Helen and Maurice moved into town. They later downsized from their home to an apartment before moving to Poplar Creeks Assisted Living. The couple then transitioned to the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home. Maurice preceded her in death on January 4, 2016. Helen continued to reside in the community where on Thursday, May 27, 2021 she died peacefully under hospice care at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 23 days.
Helen was a 60+ year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne where she was involved in Anchor Group and the women’s circle. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking and was skilled at needle pointing and cross stitching. Some of her happiest times were when she was spending time with her grandchildren. Rum cakes and pizza burgers were Grandma Helen’s specialty. She loved having family up at their cabin on Lake Benton. Family and friends were always welcome in her home where a pot of coffee and plate of cookies were ready and waiting.

Helen is lovingly remembered by her children, Gregg (Laurie) Fitzer of Surprise, Arizona, Geff (Jackie) Fitzer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Sally Fitzer of Verona, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, Gina (Kris) Jacobsen, Katie (Dennis) Haugland, Grant (Alexandra) Fitzer, Brynn Fitzer, Tori (Matthew) Carper, Chris Fitzer (Jessica Quittem), Mikki Fitzer and Connor Fitzer (Lauren Muller); and 13 great-grandchildren; and other family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Maurice; son, Gary Fitzer; and three brothers, Clarence Stein, Raymond Stein and Leonard Stein.

Memorials may be directed to F.A.S.T. (Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics), PO Box 608, Downs Grove, IL 60515; www.cureangelman.org.