Helen Jensen

Helen Frieda (Brockmann) Jensen passed into the hands of Jesus at the age of 92 on October 17, 2023, at the Pipestone County Medical Center after a brief illness. 

Helen was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, on April 22, 1931, to Henry and Bertha (Ebel) Brockmann. In 1937, the family moved to a farm northwest of Sherburn where Helen, the youngest of five children, learned the merit of hard work. She attended Sherburn schools and graduated in 1948. On July 15, 1952, Helen married Lyle W. Jensen in Sherburn. They moved to Canby, Minnesota, and started their family, and in 1966 moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. Helen was widowed on March 18, 1980, when Lyle passed away at a young age.

Helen worked for Farmers State Bank of Sherburn (1948–1954), Farmers & Merchants Bank of Pipestone (1965–1979), and First System Services as Regional Auditor (1980–1985). She finished her career with Wilson Manufacturing Company of Pipestone (1985-2005) when she was forced to retire due to health problems. 

Helen was a charter member of Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in Pipestone where she was active on Altar Guild, the Special Fundraising Committee, and WMF of which she was Treasurer. She also participated in Circle, lefse-making, and quilting. She would often pick up her lady friends for church and the group of them would sit together in the second pew every Sunday. After church they would go to breakfast or find a church dinner to enjoy. Helen was very active in her church and considered the other members and Pastor Tim as family. There is great comfort in knowing that Helen is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Helen was an amazing mom, grandma, great-grandma, and friend. Her family was her pride and joy. Family gatherings were a favorite, especially Christmas, where so many memories were made. Her little house was filled with kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, dogs, and cats. The kitchen table was a gathering place for raucous card games where Grandma Helen would forget the rules (or innocently cheat), causing tear-spilling laughter from all. Her front closet always had ice cream pails full of cookies, and she was sure to send your favorites home with you. And the lefse! She was spunky and witty and had that streak of German stubbornness, and she was so loved.

Helen is survived by her children, Linda (Dave) Kerkove of Algona, Iowa, and John Jensen (Lani Fagerstrom) of Nisswa, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jeff Kerkove of Buena Vista, Colorado, Christina Evans (Jay Radcliffe) of Meridian, Idaho, Adam (Gina) Jensen and great-grandsons Chase and Trent of Yorktown, VA; Kelli (Mark) LaVoie and great-granddaughters Hattie and Hazel of Otsego, Minnesota; long-time friend, Elaine Hansen of Luverne, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lyle; sisters, Alma Waldee and Esther Nolte; brothers, Herman and Harold Brockmann; and nephew, Lee Waldee.

Memorials may be directed to Christ the King Free Lutheran Church (804 8th Ave NE, Pipestone, MN 56164).
One of Helen’s sayings was “such is life.” When we think of her, we think “SUCH A LIFE.”

Blessed be the memory of Helen Jensen!