Helen Crooks, 93

Helen M. Crooks, 93, of Redwood Falls died Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. A private family service will be held with burial to follow in the St. Mary’s Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Tracy.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

Helen Marie Gondek Crooks, the daughter of John Frank Gondek and Rose Marie Ross, was born December 15, 1922 in Tracy. She grew up in Tracy and received her formal education in Tracy Public School.

On November 8, 1941, Helen married John Crooks in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They made their home in the Lower Sioux Community until moving into Redwood Falls in 1981.  Helen was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. She loved going on car rides, playing Bingo, and visiting family and friends. Helen loved to cook and enjoyed hosting family reunions. Her favorite song to sing was, “show me the way to go home, I’m tired and I want to go to bed.”

She is survived by her children Patricia (John) Gustafson of Franklin, Jacalyn (Allen) Kokesch of Morton, Rockford Crooks (and fiancé Tina Hillesheim) of Morton, and Kelly Hinrichs (and special friend Dan Okins) of Redwood Falls. Also surviving are her grandchildren Jason Sommers, Amy Lund, Bradley Hoecke, Brandon Crooks, Derek Crooks, and Samantha Crooks; and great-grandchildren Bailey, Cameran and Sydney Sommers, Alexander, Maxwell, Rexton, Ava and Mara Lund, Nikita Hoecke, and Jedidiah Crooks.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband John on April 6, 1988, three sisters, 11 brothers, and step-grandson Justin Gustafson.

Blessed be her memory.

Sina Pederson, 85

Sina Pederson, age 85, of Pipestone, died peacefully on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone.  Funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Holland with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church.  Burial in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery near Milroy, Minnesota following the service.  Arrangements are through the Hartquist Funeral Home – Pipestone Chapel.

Please visit Hartquistfuneral.com to sign an online registry and leave condolences.