Pernella was born January 18, 1927 in the “Big Woods” area in Preble Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota to Carl and Myrtle (Vickerman) Johnson. She attended school at the Newburg School and then the Mabel High School. On June 13, 1947 she married Roger Helgeson. They farmed in the Lenora area for several years before moving to Canton. She was a member of the Henrytown Lutheran Church and WELCA, and enjoyed her large flower gardens, reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling all over the United States.
Pernella passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel at the age of 84.
Pernella is survived by five children Donald “Butch” (Deb) of Canton, Alan “Pee Wee” of Mabel, Arlene “Beth” Helgeson of Chatfield, David “Yogi” (Brenda) of Rochester, and Karen Helgeson of Canton; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; four sisters Marlyn (Wilbur) Sayles of Austin, Dorothy Johnson of Loveland, Colorado, Janice Wheeler of Marion, North Carolina, and Carol Skadsem of Loveland, Colorado; nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Roger; a granddaughter Christa; her parents Carl and Myrtle; and a brother Irvin.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Monday, July 18, 2011 at the Henrytown Lutheran Church in rural Harmony with the Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 PM Sunday, July 17 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church. |
