Helen L. Emstad, of Albert Lea, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Church of St. Theodore, Albert Lea. The Rev. Jim Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis

will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore&8217;s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. To sign the guest book go to

www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Helen L. Emstad was born on Nov. 16, 1920, to Otto and Mary (Andre) Harig in Kossuth County, Iowa. She attended Alden schools and graduated

in 1939. Helen married Fay Emstad on April 26, 1945 at St. Theodore in Albert Lea. She lived in rural Albert Lea since 1946. Helen was employed at the Good Samaritan Center in the dietary department and also at the Painting Post in Albert Lea. She was a member of the Church of St. Theodore in Albert Lea. Helen loved to bake and cook dinners for her family. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and will be sadly missed by them.

Helen is survived by her son, Omer (Lynda) Emstad of Albert Lea; daughters, Linda (Philip) Anderson of Albert Lea and Janice (Steve) Johnson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; grandchildren, Lisa Routh, Cole Anderson, Heather Thofson, Rod Anderson, Lara Chicos and Chandler Anderson; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Marlys) Harig of Emmons; sister, Rosella Weber of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law, Arlene Hanson of Albert Lea and Rita Harig of California; several nieces and nephews; and the loving staff at Sheltering Arms, St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fay in 1983; son, Dale Richard in infancy; brothers, Leo, Howard, Harold and Edward Harig; sisters and brothers-in-law: Theresa (Melvin) Christensen, Adeline (Clarence) Wangsness, Mary (Earl) Kaushagen; brother and sisters-in-law: Omer (Ruby) Emstad, Earl (Joyce) Emstad, Margaret (Phil) Hanson, Dorothy (Curt) Wedge, Albert (Dorothy) Emstad and Robert Weber.