Helen Perkins

Helen Maxine Perkins…

was born to Samuel Everett and Florence (Dingler) Long on September 6, 1919 on a farm in Grange Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota. When she was one year old, she developed a serious children’s digestive illness which she outgrew after eight years. Her mother took her by Great Northern train to Minneapolis many times to see a pediatric child specialist, and she was a patient at St. Mary’s Hospital there several times. Only through her parents’ loving care, patience and a special diet did she live. As a result, she started school at seven years of age, only going day. She attended District 16 rural school and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1938. She joined 4-H when she was ten, raising lambs so she could be outdoors for her health. Bread baking, sewing and home decorations were other projects which won her prizes and trips to the State Fair. In 1932, she was confirmed and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After high school, she attended Miss Wood’s Kindergarten and Primary Training School. When she graduated in 1940, she taught kindergarten (Saturdays) and 1st and 2nd grades at Adrian, Minnesota.

Helen was united in marriage to Earl R. Perkins on August 4, 1942 at Ehrenberg, Arizona. Do to a strict “no marriage rule” in her teaching contract they kept their marriage a secret until Christmas break in 1942. In January, 1943, she joined Earl who was stationed with the U.S. Army Air Corps in Florida. She then substitute taught and worked in a dime store. In September, 1944, she began teaching third grade at Kissimmee, Florida. Following Earl’s discharge at the end of 1945, they returned to Pipestone. In 1946, she taught first grade in Pipestone and then substituted for many years in the Pipestone schools. When Earl began Perkins Auto Clinic in 1948 and the real estate business in 1966, Helen was the bookkeeper and office manager. In mid-1970’s, she became licensed as a real estate salesperson. Her love was not in selling, but managing the office and doing bookwork. Helen and Earl retired in 1978 due to Earl’s health. They became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona and Florida. Earl preceded her in death on March 13, 1997. After his death, Helen continued to live in Pipestone, first in a condo and then becoming a resident of Ridgeview Estates in May, 2005. In May, 2016, she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Thursday, November 10, 2016, Helen was called home by her Lord and Savior at an earth age of 97 years, two months and four days.

Helen was a Methodist all her life and belonged to Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where she taught Sunday school and Release Time Instruction. For several years, she sang in the church choir. She also served as Past President of the United Methodist Women, belonged to a circle continuously, and most recently served on the Caring Committee. Helen was an active member of the Pipestone community. She belonged to many groups and organizations including the Sew and So Club, the Book Club, a Bridge Club, the American Legion Auxiliary and served as President, the Golden Club, and was a 50 plus year member of the Eastern Star. She and Earl were one of the ten couples who started the local KOA campground. They were members of the Horseless Carriage Club, participating in the activities and parades with their family and their 1925 Velie, 1917 Model T Ford, and a 1930 Model A Ford. Their acreage and airstrip were their pride and joy, having sons Larry, Steve, and other friends land and take off. Helen’s enjoyment was her children, as well as her flower gardens, especially the hybrid Irises, music, traveling, and antiques as hobbies.

She is lovingly remembered by her two sons, Larry (Linda) Perkins of Sarasota, Florida and Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, and Steve (Marianne) Perkins of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Sun Lakes Arizona; three grandchildren, Carrie (Todd) Van Rossum of Geneva, Illinois, Jason (Cara) Perkins of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Aaron (Karolyn) Perkins of Shoreview, Minnesota; eleven great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren, Mistyne (Dale) Aiken of Omaha, Nebraska, Marleta Ouverson of Broomfield, Colorado, Melicia (Jesse) Kehneman of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Michael (Jenn) Ouverson of Burnsville, Minnesota; six step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Verne Long of Pipestone, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; her parents; and one brother, Donald Long.

PLEASE NOTE: THE VISITATION FOR HELEN HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM FRIDAY NIGHT TO SATURDAY FROM NOON TO 2:00 PM AT PEACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.