Helen Luella Thompson

Helen Luella Thompson was born September 13, 1917, to Bennie and Tina Jellum Bjerke. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1935 and attended Teacher's Training in Wells for two years before teaching in country school. In 1935, Helen was named Miss Healthy Minnesota, which influenced the way she lived the rest of her life. Helen married Wallace E. Thompson July 2, 1939. The couple farmed near Hayward and later rural Albert Lea. They moved to Blooming Prairie in 1965, where Helen was employed at Super Value. Wallace and Helen moved back in Albert Lea in the early 90s. Helen has been a resident of St. John's Lutheran Home for the last nine years. Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Curtis Miller; sons, Ron Judy Thompson and Denny Thompson; grandchildren: LaRae Rob Rankin, Lynette Mike Fox, Daryld Stacey Miller, Duane Miller, Andrew Thompson, and Troy fiance Tamisha Thompson; 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; brothers, Byron Elaine Bjerke and Orval Bjerke; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Bjerke, Bernice Thompson, Olive Thompson, Grace Arneson, Harriet Broskoff, and Elaine Erickson; brothers-in-law: Palmer Marjorie Thompson, Earl Bev Thompson, Paul Mary Thompson, and David Marlene Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wallace in August 1999; brother, Bill Bjerke; sister, Stella Bakken; brother-in-law, Junior Bakken; and sister-in-law, Lois Bjerke. Special thanks to North Trail Neighborhood at St. John's for years of special care for Helen. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.