Funeral services for Darlene LaVonne Helgerson, age 81, of Albert Lea will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Interment will be at the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, 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.

Darlene died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, at Albert Lea Medical Center.

Darlene L. Helgerson was born on March 17, 1929, in Albert Lea to Gordon and Lillian (Sveen) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Darlene attended Albert Lea schools where she was proud to have been the first Queen of Hearts at Albert Lea High School in 1946. She graduated in 1947. On Feb. 15, 1949, Darlene married Donald Hansen in Albert Lea. She worked in the office at Wilson & Co., and Naeve Hospital.  Darlene Married Arnold Helgerson Feb. 23, 2001, in Albert Lea. Darlene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in the church circles. She enjoyed sewing and cooking for her family on Sundays and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include husband, Arnold; son, Richard (Dick) and wife Marsha Hansen of Albert Lea; sister, Lois Gunderson of St. Paul; grandchildren, Kristin (Melvin) Nemec, Jennifer Bergeson, Heather (Ryan) Hintz all of Albert Lea, and Amber (Mike) Mahle of Rapid City, S.D.; great-grandchildren, Steven Zuniga, Justin Nemec, Patty Davilia, Cami Bergeson, Dalton Hintz, Dacoda Hintz, Tyler Hansen, Sheridan Mahle, Michael and Madison Mahle; great-great-grandchild, Bria Jean Kluver; step- granddaughters Valerie and Cassandra Nemec; step-children, Joan (Dennis) Anderson, JoAnn Goskeson, Arnold (Robin) Helgerson, Jr. all of Albert Lea, and Wayne (Carol) Helgerson of Corpus Christie, Texas; 28 step grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald, in 1998; daughter, Patricia Storvick and grandson, Chad Hansen; step-daughter, Cynthia (Sis) Larsen.

Her family would like to express a special thank you to the Albert Lea Medical Center for providing the Hospice Room and to the nurses for all their wonderful care.