Joyce "Kitty" Helgeson

Hills, MN Joyce "Kitty" Helgeson, age 94 of Hills, MN died peacefully Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, February 20th at Palisades Lutheran Church near Garretson, SD, with Pastor Ray Heidenson officiating. Burial will follow at Beaver Creek Cemetery, in Beaver Creek, MN. Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 19th from 2:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, MN. Joyce "Kitty" Helgeson was born February 3, 1921 in Canby, MN the daughter of Clarence and Babe (Hanning) Qualley. She graduated from Canby High School in 1939 and from Normal School the following year. She taught rural school for two years. On June 4, 1942, she married the love of her life, Gordon Helgeson. They then moved to California. Gordon enlisted in the service and she was employed at the Vega Aircraft plant. When Gordon left for overseas duty, she returned to Canby and worked at Woodward's Department Store. Upon his return, they farmed near Taunton, MN and in 1948 moved to a farm near Beaver Creek, MN. Kitty was employed from October 1975 until she retired in November of 1996 at the Beaver Creek Information Center. She got great joy from finally getting paid for something she enjoyed doing, "telling people where to go." She was an active member of the Palisades Lutheran Church, the ALCW, and the Mary Circle. She was a member of the Beaver Creek Senior Citizens, the Beaver Creek Cemetery Association, where for many years she and Helge organized the Memorial Day services. She was named Rock County Senior Citizen of the year in 2001. She played a major role in the organization of the annual Father-Son Pool tournament for 20 years. She also enjoyed an evening out with the girls bowling for many years. She was never afraid to volunteer for any community organization or activity. At the age of 92, she poured coffee at the Vets Home in Luverne, MN. She is survived by 3 children, Vicki (Dave) Nelson of Commerce City, CO, Gary (Maureen) Helgeson of Beaver Creek, MN and Joni Worm of St. Cloud, MN along with 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years; her parents, Clarence and Babe, brothers, Bud and Nook, sisters, June Duis, Jean Johnson and Jackie Olson, and one son-in-law, and grandson.