Helen Anderson, 89

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 for Helen Anderson at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastors Kendall Stelter and Lori Wold officiating. Organist was Betty Anderson along with soloist, Una Rae Smith.  Violinists, Elizabeth Anderson and Emily Munson also accompanied the hymns. Readers were Peter Wensman, Benjamin Ballard, and Ken Noble. Blair Anderson gave a tribute to his Mother and read the words during a slide show of the book “Love You Forever”; and Bryn Anderson, Rob Anderson, Jennifer Noble and Abby Wensman were communion assistants.

Helen was born in Dawson on September 29, 1919, to Arthur and Hilma (Wallem) Hullstrom. She was baptized into the Christian faith on October 10, 1919, and confirmed her faith on May 10, 1934, at Riverside (Grace) Lutheran Church. She attended school in Dawson and graduated in 1938.

Helen married Wendell Anderson on December 26, 1944. They moved to Tracy, MN, in 1951, where Wendell served as president of the local bank for 26 years. Upon retirement, Helen and Wendell moved to Hot Springs Village, AK, and enjoyed many “golden years” making new friends, golfing, entertaining family, and investing in an ELCA mission congregation. In 1999, Helen and Wendell sold their home in Arkansas and returned to the place of their birth, Dawson, a decision they never regretted.

Helen’s priorities always centered on marriage, children, grandchildren, friends, and church. She was an avid golfer-achieving two holes-in-one! She was an avid bridge player-always thrilled to take part in her bridge clubs wherever she lived. Helen was an accomplished seamstress and she found much fulfillment in her needle work, especially when she could share her work with others. Helen loved to cook and was a master of the art. Coupled with cooking was Helen and Wendell’s gracious hospitality and their love of entertaining family and friends. Folks from many corners of the world felt welcomed in the Anderson’s very non-pretentious homes. Most importantly, Helen was a generous person. She shared, gave, and sacrificed-seldom calling attention to herself. For Helen “the need was the call.” If there was a need, she attempted to meet the need. If there was a hurt, she attempted to reach out as an agent of healing.

Helen and Wendell would have been married sixty-five years this coming December 26. Many, many folks have admired their deep commitment to each other, their love and respect for each other. Over the last fifteen years, with Helen’s declining health and Wendell’s declining eye-sight, they have touched many lives through their synergistic team-work. They have modeled for the entire world their marriage vows, “in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, until death parts us.”

Helen Deloris Anderson, died peacefully in her home in Dawson, surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

She is survived by husband, Wendell; four grateful children: Cyndi (Dave) Ballard of Fairfield, Texas, Blair (Betty) Anderson of Ramsey, MN, Allan (Shelley) Anderson of Pottsborro, Texas and Gretchen (Steve) Wensman of Maplewood, MN; adopted AFS daughter, Alice Stonebrink of the Netherlands; 9 grandchildren: Jennifer (Ken) Noble, Benjamin (Jillian) Ballard, Elizabeth Anderson, Emily (Jesse) Munson, Rob Anderson, Bryn Anderson, Abby Wensman, Peter Wensman, Madelyn Schneider; 3 great-grandchildren: Logan, Hannah and Isabella Noble; brother-in-law, Rueben Christianson and sister-in-law, Irene Bremseth, both of Dawson; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sisters: LuVonne Engkjer and Phyllis Christianson; brother, Earl “Bud” Hullstrom; and brother-in-law, Harvey Engkjer.

Burial was in Grace Lutheran Cemetery.

 

George Bartlett, 82

George W. Bartlett, age 82 of Revere, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Springfield Medical Center.  Funeral Services were held on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Church of Christ in Tracy.  

George W. Bartlett was born April 10, 1927 on the family farm in Sublette, Lee County, IL to Dwight and Helen (Baum) Bartlett.  George enlisted in the US Army on December 18, 1945 and served in Germany during WWII.  He received his honorable discharge on January 25, 1947. 

George was united in marriage to Ruth Mathews on June 3, 1948 in Tracy, MN.  Together the couple made their home near Revere where they lived for nearly 61 years.  George farmed his entire life.  He was a very active member of the Lamberton and Tracy Church of Christ, served on the ASC Committee for Redwood County, and was a 4-H leader for the North Hero All Stars. George also served on the board at the Revere Elevator, the North Hero Township Board, and the North Hero Telephone Board.  George was a member of the Francis Harnack Post 582 where he was a Past Commander and Chaplain and received a pin and certificate for 50 years of service. 

He loved farming, playing cards, fishing, bowling, and crossword puzzles.  George enjoyed watching the Twins and Vikings, and visiting with his friends.  He was a devoted husband and father.

George is survived by his wife Ruth of 61 years; daughters: Alice (Galen) Wittenberg of Gibbon, Mary (Wayne) Alms of Walnut Grove, and Jane (Jim) DeSmith of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren: Brent (fiancée Katie Olson) Alms, Jason (Rachel) Alms, Jill Alms, and Miranda DeSmith; step-great-grandchildren: Summer, Sam, and Corbin Vogl; sisters: Clara (Charles) Fultz and Millie (Neil) Horsman; brother Glenn (Belva) Bartlett; and many other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Lyle, Dale, Roy, Earl, and Wayne.

Interment was in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.walnutgrovefuneralhome.com.  The Walnut Grove Funeral Home handled the arrangements.