Lydia M. Helleksen

Lydia M. Helleksen, age 99, of Lake Crystal, died Friday, February 26, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Butternut. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Monday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Butternut Valley Cemetery, Butternut.

Lydia was born July 29, 1916 to Norwegian immigrant parents, Lars and Marit “Mary” Honstad in Rake, Iowa. Lydia was united in marriage to Harland S. Helleksen, son of Roy and Myrtle Helleksen, in Elmore, Minnesota on June 29, 1937. Lydia served as Superintendent of the Sunday School, President of the Ladies Aid, sang in the church choir, and served as organist at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Butternut. She was a member there since 1937. Lydia was an avid quilter, enjoyed playing cards, and traveling to Norway with family. She loved to cook and bake.

Lydia is survived by her five children and their spouses, Patricia Prange of Mankato; Barbara Pronk of Porter, MN, LaRoy “Pike” and Marcia Helleksen of Lake Crystal, Sandra and Carey Young of Kansas City, KS, Joni and Van Brostrom of Stillwater, MN; eighteen grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; fifteen great-great-grandchildren; sister, Mabel Johnson of Albert Lea, MN; many nieces and nephews.

Lydia was preceded in death by her infant son, Roger Allen on August 23, 1946; husband, Harland in 1987; son-in-law, T. Pronk; four sisters, Rhoda Thompson, Marion Odson, Gertrude Murra, and Louella Peters; two brothers, Otis Honstad and Selmer Honstad.