Helen Holen, 87, Thief River Falls, MN passes away on Wednesday April 12, 2023 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN surrounded by her family, ready to go home to her Lord and Savior.

Visitation will be held 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM with a 5:00 PM Prayer Service on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

Service to celebrate Helen's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Alex Amiot officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Reiner Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Helen Viola Johnson was born at home on March 25, 1936 the daughter of Elmer and Alice (Tenold) Johnson in Espelie Township, Marshall County near Goodridge, MN. She was baptized on May 16, 1943 at her home in Marshall County and confirmed at Eklund Lutheran Church. She attended Woodrow Country School in Espelie Township and Goodridge High School.

On June 28, 1952 Helen was united in marriage to Selmer Holen at the Goodridge Parsonage in Goodridge, MN by Rev. O.O. Bjorgan. They lived on the Holen Farm with Selmer's parents for two years before moving to Soudan, MN where Selmer worked in the underground mines and Helen cared for their children, Richard and Linda. In 1959 Helen and Selmer returned to purchase the Holen Family Farm in Reiner Township and in 1961 were blessed with a daughter Leann. The Holen Family Farm became a Century Farm in 2006.

After retiring from farming in 1985, the couple moved to Buffalo, MN for five years, where they were both caretakers of Care Free Living. They returned home to Goodridge in 1990 where they continued to live. Helen then went to work at Valley Home as a cook for ten years and also spent three years at Oakland Park Nursing Home as a cook.

Helen was an active member of Reiner Lutheran Free Church and loved to attend Bible study groups. Helen and Selmer enjoyed spending two summers caretaking and camping at the Galilee Bible Camp. She was a Sunday school teacher, treasurer, and Bible study leader. Helen was awarded an Outstanding Senior Citizen for Pennington County.

She enjoyed quilting and crocheting and was awarded a Grand Champion ribbon on her multicolored Afghan. Over the years she made several wedding cakes for family and friends. Helen loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. On March 10, 2023, Helen met her great great grandson for a five-generation photo.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Peter) Bauer, Thief River Falls, MN, Richard (Mary) Holen, Goodridge, MN, and Leann (Don) Wikert, Grygla, MN; grandchildren, Heather Usiski, Erick (Catherine) Bauer,  Kyle (Alicia) Wikert, Kelsi  Wikert, Angie (Duane) Johnson, Jamie (Jeremiah) Wishard, Samuel "Sam" Holen, and Douglas Reierson; great-grandchildren, Sadie (Bibhor) Upreti, Mackenzie Usiski, Olivia Battles, Sadie & Paden Wishard, Easton & Gannon Wikert, Trenton, Spencer, Alexandra, & Cameron Jablinske, and Tyler Loe; great great grandson; Boston; family friend, Dale Classen; siblings, Esther Fjeld, Vancouver, WA, Dorie Walma, Stillwater, MN, JoAnn (Dave) Langseth, Ft. Myers, FL, Walter (Bonnie) Johnson, Andover, MN, Russell (Marcia) Johnson, Rosemount, MN; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Selmer; parents; brother, LeRoy Johnson; brothers-in-law, Oscar Fjeld and Dan Josephson.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com