Phyllis Helgeson

Phyllis R. Helgeson, age 83 of Faribault, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2016, surrounded by her family at her home following an extended illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, in Faribault. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to services.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to the National Kidney Foundation in memory of Phyllis.

Phyllis Ruth, the daughter of Albert and Viola (Gibson) Pirkl, was born on July 4, 1932 at her family farm in Deerfield Township, Steele County, MN. Phyllis attended Bethlehem Academy High School. On August 15, 1949 she was united in marriage to Francis "Bud" Helgeson in Faribault. Bud preceded her in death on July 28, 1993. During the first part of their marriage Phyllis stayed at home to raise their family. Later she was the owner and operator of the Brunswick Café. Phyllis had a passion for cooking and baking and enjoyed collecting cookbooks along with trips with friends and family to the casino. She was a member of the ladies auxiliary at several organizations including the American Legion Post 43, VFW Post 1562, Knights of Columbus Council 889, the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles and was a member of the Elk's Lodge, all of Faribault.

She is survived by her four daughters, Patty (Doug) Stonehouse of Faribault, Loretta Meinke of Faribault, Karen (Paul) Harris of Denver, CO and Kim (Jaime) Helgeson of Burnsville, MN; by six grandchildren, Paul (Kris) Purfeerst, Kelly Purdom, Cindy (Nate) Nawrocki, Casey Schultz, Kenn (Miranda) Pietila and Willie (Ginny) Meinke; by 17 great grandchildren; by five siblings, Bernice Pirkl-Thompson of Bellingham, WA, Emily (Leonard) Blais of Prior Lake, MN, Teresa (George) Krippner of Northfield, MN, Dick (Sharon) Pirkl of Faribault and Catherine Durand of Blaine, MN and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Joan Helgeson Murie, granddaughter, Nikki Schultz, two great grandchildren, one brother and seven sisters.