Helen Stevens

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 507-388-2288 Helen D. Stevens, age 91 of Mankato, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Pathstone Care Center in Mankato, Minnesota. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015 at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary with Pastor John Petersen officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Helen Doris Stevens was born April 18, 1923 to Martin Boe Olson and Tillie Josephine Olson on the family farm in Northfield township, Wisconsin. She grew up on the farm with her four brothers and sister. After graduating from Hixton High School in 1941, she enrolled in the Luther Hospital School of Nursing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she graduated as a registered nurse in the class of 1944. Helen married Harold Vernon Stevens May 6, 1944. Having already been drafted into the U.S. Army, Harold was soon shipped overseas where he served through the end of WWII. During that time, Helen worked at Luther Hospital. After the war, Helen and Harold made their home in Eau Claire while Helen continued working at Luther Hospital and Harold worked at Colbert's Shoes. In 1951, they moved to Mankato, Minnesota where Harold managed Colbert's Shoes. In 1967, Harold and Helen bought the shoe store and changed the name to Stevens Shoes. In 1959, Helen began working part time at Immanual Hospital in Mankato where she would become a part-time evening nursing supervisor. Helen was always kind, caring, and generous, whether as a nurse or as wife, mom, and grandmother. Her greatest joy was her family. In later years she treasured every opportunity to love and care for her grandchildren. Helen and family were active members of Christ the King Lutheran Church. Her hobbies included playing bridge. Helen is survived by her daughter, Rita and Darryl Solberg of San Diego, CA; her son, Gregory and Lori Stevens of Mankato; and her daughter, Mary Stevens of Boulder, CO; grandchildren Kirsten and David Solberg, and Brittany and Ann Stevens; brother Harold Olson of Northfield, WI; brother-in-law, Curtis Stevens of Eau Claire, WI; and many nieces and nephews. Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Stevens (2002), as well as her parents, sister Irene Jacobson, brothers Leonard Olson, Victor Olson, and Donald Olson. Memorial donations are preferred to Pathstone Care Center, 718 Mound Ave, Mankato MN 56001, or one's favorite charity.