Darlene Helgerson

 Funeral services for Darlene LaVonne Helgerson, age 81, of Albert Lea will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate.  Interment will be at the Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 11th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.  

 Darlene died Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Albert Lea Medical Center.

 Darlene L. Helgerson was born on March 17, 1929 in Albert Lea to Gordon and Lillian (Sveen) Johnson.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Darlene attended Albert Lea schools where she was proud to have been the first Queen of Hearts at Albert Lea High School in 1946.  She graduated in 1947.  On February 15, 1949 Darlene married Donald Hansen in Albert Lea.  She worked in the office at Wilson & Co., and Naeve Hospital.  Darlene married Arnold Helgerson February 23, 2001 in Albert Lea.  Darlene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in the church circles.  She enjoyed sewing and cooking for her family on Sundays and loved spending time with her grandchildren.  She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include husband, Arnold; son, Richard (Dick) and wife Marsha Hansen of Albert Lea; sister, Lois Gunderson of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Kristin (Melvin) Nemec, Jennifer Bergeson, Heather (Ryan) Hintz all of Albert Lea, and Amber (Mike) Mahle of Rapid City, SD; great-grandchildren, Steven Zuniga, Justin Nemec, Patty Davilia, Cami Bergeson, Dalton Hintz, Dacoda Hintz, Tyler Hansen, Sheridan Mahle, Michael Mahle, and Madison Mahle; great-great-grandchild, Bria Jean Kluver; step-granddaughters Valerie and Cassandra Nemec; step-children, Joan (Dennis) Anderson, JoAnn Goskeson, Arnold (Robin) Helgerson, Jr. all of Albert Lea, and Wayne (Carol) Helgerson of Corpus Christie, TX; 28 step grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald in 1998; daughter, Patricia Storvick and grandson, Chad Hansen; step-daughter, Cynthia (Sis) Larsen

Her family would like to express a special thank you to the Albert Lea Medical Center for providing the Hospice Room and to the nurses for all their wonderful care.