HALSNE, Helen May 'Blondie' 1927 - 2016

HALSNE, REYNOLDS, PAULSON, MONSON, GRINKEY, REAB

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 10/19/2017 at 09:07:40

Helen May “Blondie” Halsne, 89 of Clear Lake, died Monday, October 17, 2016, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2016, at Galilean Lutheran Church, 4454 255th St., Clear Lake, with Pastor Scot McCloskey officiating. Burial will be in Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Humane Society of North Iowa.

Helen was born on February 23, 1927, the daughter of Andrew and Goldie (Reynolds) Paulson in Mason City. She married James Halsne on July 28, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. He preceded her in death on May 17, 1992.

Helen grew up and attended school in Mason City. She and Jim farmed many years south of Clear Lake before moving to Brookings, SD and later Jacksonville, IL, and finally returning to Clear Lake in 1983. She worked various jobs while raising her six children, and later in life worked 17 years for McDonald’s in Clear Lake, retiring at the age of 76.

Helen was a charter member of Galilean Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. She was a very good roller skater in her younger years. She enjoyed dirt track racing and was known as Grandma of the track and rarely missing a race of her grandchildren. She also liked walking to the corner, dancing, flowers and feeding the birds. She enjoyed going to the casino, bowling with friends, and especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Helen is survived by five children, Jim Halsne of Clear Lake, Carol (Cliff) Monson of Clear Lake, Diana (Delmar) Grinkey of Manchester, IL, Tom Halsne of Lacrosse, WI and Mike (Trish) Halsne of Chapin, IL; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Emily Reab of Appleton, WI; many nieces and nephews; a daughter-in-law, Lorie Halsne of Thornton; and her cat, Georgie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Dick; a grandson, Brian Halsne; a brother, Bob Paulson; and a daughter-in-law, Judy Halsne.