Helen Marie Hansen

COLERIDGE — Helen Marie Hansen, 88, Coleridge, died Sept. 17, 2021, at her residence.

Funeral Services will be Sept. 22, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Coleridge, with Rev. Russ Lambert and Rev. Deb Valentine officiating.

Burial will be at Lawn Ridge Cemetery, Coleridge.

Visitation and a prayer service were Tuesday, at church. Visitation will continue Wednesday, one hour prior to services.

Pallbearers will be Curt Hansen, Kevin Hansen, Robert Patefield, Danny Patefield, Dave Hansen and Randy Lemke.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Coleridge.

Helen Marie was born Jan. 22, 1933, at Wausa, to Svend and Hertha Marie (Larson) Kastrup. Helen was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. At an early age, the family moved to Dixon and then to Newcastle, where she attended elementary school. She attended Laurel Public School in the eighth grade and high school at Coleridge Public School, graduating in 1950. Helen received her teaching certificate from Wayne State College in 1951. She taught in Cedar and Dixon County rural schools.

She married her best friend Rodney Walter Hansen from Allen, June 23, 1952, at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Laurel. After Rodney was discharged from the Army, they farmed together around the Coleridge area. In 2015, they retired and moved into Coleridge. In her youth, she was a 4-H Leader. She also was a member of the Willing Workers Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Helen had a strong faith in the Lord, which led her to be very active with volunteer work at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She loved to teach Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and Junior Lutherans. She served as an officer for many years in the ILCW Unit and Peace Circle. People all over the world are enjoying quilts she has made, which she donated through LWR and the Orphan Grain Train. She has made a special quilt for all of her family. She received the Volunteer of the Year Award for leading Bible Study at the Embers and Park View Haven Nursing Home. Helen had a green thumb and enjoyed growing a large vegetable garden and had many beautiful flower beds. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially teasing her grandkids and great-grandkids.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Dallas) Graham, Belden; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Goldston, Fremont; and sisters-in-law, Arlene Patefield, Coleridge, and Patricia Hansen, Dell Rapids, S.D.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rodney, Aug. 28, 2015, at the age of 84; sons, Anthony, in infancy, Walter and Alan; mother and father-in-law, Walter and Ruth (Anderson) Hansen; a brother, Kenneth (Alice) Kastrup; sisters, Alice Irene (Gordon) Starks, Ida (La Verne) James and Betty Lue Kastrup; brothers-in-law, James Goldston, Milo Patefield, Maynard Hansen and Kenneth (Mary) Hansen; and sisters-in-law, Bernita Meyer (Dick Houfek) and Vivian (Leland) Lemke.