Helen Margaret Bucklin

Memorial services for Helen Margaret Bucklin, age 77, of Albert Lea will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2011 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel.  Rev. John Holt will officiate.  Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.  Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14^th at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service.  

Helen died Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at her home.

Helen was born on December 27, 1933 to Mary and Elmer Meister of Austin, MN.  She had 4 sisters and one brother.  She attended school in Austin, MN.  She enjoyed playing the piano and violin.  While a junior in high school she started working in the accounting department at J. C. Hormel and Co.  She worked there until after George and Helen were married and George Kane was born.  In the next 2 ½ years they had two more sons, Robin Lee and David Todd.  She quit her job to raise their 3 sons.  Seven years later Jeanne Ellen was born and in two more years Jayne Elizabeth was born.  Helen was a full-time mother and homemaker for 20 years.  Her husband George, of 57 years, was a bricklayer and stone mason.  In 1973 the family moved to Albert Lea to own and run the Donut Kettle. Husband, George and son David were bakers, the girls, Jeanne and Jayne worked with customers, and Helen was in charge of the employees, books and payroll.  Helen usually had a craft project going and enjoyed a good game of bridge and “500”, and playing a game of “31’ with her grandkids.  She was such a loving, caring and supportive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She battled cancer for many years and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, George M. Bucklin of Albert Lea; son, George K. Bucklin and wife Uan of Bangkok, Thailand; son, David T. Bucklin and wife Joyce of Mountain Lake, MN and their children, David of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Anna and husband Ryan Gerber and daughter Cameron of Ankeny, IA, Dima and Nadya both of Mountain Lake; daughter, Jeanne E. O’Neal and husband Scott of Houston, TX, their children, Ryan and Jordan both of Houston, TX and daughter, Jayne E. Iverson and husband Chad of Hayward, MN and their children Emma and Noah both of Hayward; granddaughter, Laurel Bucklin of Portland, OR; sisters, Barb, Mary Jo and Suzanne; and brother, Charles.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Robin Lee; and her oldest sister, Elizabeth Roehrich.