Helen W. Wipplinger, age 94, of Albert Lea, formerly of Wells, died Sunday, June 4, 2006, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in rural Minnesota Lake. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

The Rev. Larry Bessler will officiate.

Interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Wells. Arrangements are by Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells.

Helen Winnifred (Paske) Wipplinger was born on Aug. 31, 1911. in Earl, Wis., to Herman O. and Rose Lillian (Bradka) Paske.

She moved to Minnesota when she was 1 years old.

She was the oldest of five children.

Helen’s love of music began at age 8 or 9 when she took piano lessons for about three years.

At age 13 she was organist for her church and vocal groups and orchestra at Wells High School.

Helen graduated from Wells High School in 1929.

She worked at Wells Drug and five years as bookkeeper at Schulenburg and Thom Department Store.

She was united in marriage on Feb. 27, 1935 to George O. Wipplinger.

They lived on the Wipplinger family farm at Kiester for several years and then moved to a farm north of Wells where they raised chickens.

Helen was church organist starting in 1940 and played for many years at her own church plus many surrounding churches, and community events.

She gave piano and organ lessons to over 500 students.

Helen was very active in Arc and was president of the Wells Hospital Auxiliary and was an avid bridge player.

In 1990 she moved to Knutson Place in Albert Lea and there she played organ and piano of choir and services.

She was hospitalized in July of 2000 and then entered St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea.

Helen often stated her love of music has been a gift and she met many wonderful people through giving lessons and playing at different churches.

Helen helped sponsor many charities and music organizations.

She is survived by her daughter: Valerie Rose Wipplinger of Fairmont;

one brother, Gordon and his wife Harriet Paske of Bloomington; one sister: Jeanette Fox of Marshall; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, and two brothers, Wallace and Rolland Paske.