Rose Helen Helgeson, 85, of Lyle, died Tuesday morning, May 24, 2011, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. She was born Sept. 5, 1925, to John and Bessie (Herr) Madson in Freeborn County. She graduated from Austin High School in 1944, and became the head bookkeeper at Woolworth’s. On Aug. 21, 1949, she married Wayne Helgeson at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. After raising three children, Rose returned to work, this time as head cook at Lyle public schools for 12 years. A member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lyle, she was active in WELCA and enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening. Her main priority, however, was taking care of her family. Her husband, children and grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne Helgeson of Lyle; two sons: Dennis (Ann) Helgeson of Lyle and David (Deborah) Helgeson of Fort Worth, Texas; one daughter, Elaine Hannam of St. Ansgar, Iowa; 10 grandchildren: Sarah (David) Rayman, Jason (Stephanie) Helgeson, Heather Hannam, Chris (Karen) Hannam, Jennifer (Mike) Holland, Michelle Helgeson, John Helgeson, Jennifer Schoenfelder, Bethany Schoenfelder and Taylor Schoenfelder; five great-grandchildren: Alex, Ethan, Carter, Lucas and Anthony; sister, Betty (Jack) Koopal of Johnston, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, LeVerne Madson.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lyle with the Rev. Barbara Finley-Shea officiating. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Woodbury Cemetery, rural Lyle. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com. The family prefers memorials to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lyle.