Helen was born September 24, 1917 in Harmony, Minnesota to Helmer and Ellen (Hanson) Ellis. She grew up in Harmony and was baptized and confirmed at the Greenfield Lutheran Church. She graduated from the Harmony High School in 1937. Helen worked at the Harmony Post Office until 1947when she moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado and for the summer worked as a guide at the Van Briggle Art Pottery. Later that fall she moved to Stockton, California and worked in a contract post office. On August 1, 1948 she married Gordon Lake. He passed away February 19, 1982. They worked several years in children’s homes caring for disturbed children.
In 1983 she returned to Minnesota and lived in Mabel for five years before returning to Harmony where she has resided since. Helen and Gordon enjoyed doing volunteer work and she continued volunteering after retirement.
She was a member of the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, Naomi Circle, WELCA, and the Harmony Area Cancer Support Group, and a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary 5769 in Mabel. She enjoyed her family and friends.
Helen passed away Wednesday, October, 26, 2011 at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel at the age of 94.
Helen is survived by a niece Karen; nephews Robert, Ronnie, Raymond, and Richard; cousin Marlene; good friend Emily; and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 4 sisters, two brothers, a niece, and a nephew.
Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday, October 31, 2011 at the Greenfield Lutheran Church in rural Harmony with Rev. Betsy Darrt officiating. Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 – 6 Sunday at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the Church. Memorials are preferred to the Harmony Area Cancer Support Group or the Greenfield Lutheran Church. |
