Marian (Schatz) Helgerson 1918-2006

LAUER, SCHATZ, HELGERSON, REILING, MOORMAN, HYMAN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/11/2006 at 10:59:28

Marian Helgerson, 87, Elgin

Services for Marian E. Helgerson, 87, of Elgin, who died July 12, 2006 were at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 15, Elgin Lutheran Church. The Rev. Jerome Godson officiated.

Marian passed away at the Good Samaritan Center in Postville, following a long illness. She and a twin sister were born November 29, 1918, to John and Dorothea (Lauer) Schatz. She attended Dover #9 School, and in 1934 graduated from the North High School at West Union from the Normal Training Program. At the age of 18, she was hired to teach at Windsor #10 and two years later taught at Windsor #4.

She married Herman Helgerson October 12, 1940 at St. Peter Lutheran Church. In March they moved to a farm west of West Union and in 1941, they moved to a farm northeast of Hawkeye. In 1948, they purchased a farm east of West Union. In 1948, Marian returned to teaching, attending college at night and in the summers. In 1962, she graduated from Upper Iowa University at Fayette and taught 20 years until retirement in 1980. She began taping books for the deaf, working two days a week at the hospital; she was active in church teaching Sunday school and held many offices in the ELCW. Marian enjoyed crafts and was an avid reader. She was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood and Retired Teachers.

Survivors include her children, Dorothy (Larry) Reiling of Hawkeye, Gary Helgerson of Elkader and Randy Helgerson of Elgin; five grandchildren, Bryan (Julie) Reiling, Lincoln, Neb., Brenda Reiling, Springfield, Ill., Erik (Janelle) Helgerson Waukon, Joel (Sara) Helgerson, Ft. Benning, Ga. and Ryan Helgerson, Elkader; four great-grandchildren, Nathan and Madelyn Helgerson and Laura and Colton Reiling and a sister, Violet Moorman, Cedar Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1993; her twin sister, Marguerite Hyman and a brother, Herbert Schatz.

Burial was in Elgin Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home, Elgin, was in charge of arrangements.

Casket Bearers were Bryan Reiling, Robert Thompson, Eric Helgerson, Brenda Reiling, Joel Helgerson and Ryan Helgerson

Elgin, Iowa newspaper, July 19, 2006