Helen C. Janssen

Helen C. Janssen, 93, (nee Stassen), Wife of Leo A. Janssen, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 9th, 2008 at the Minneota Manor. Formerly of Porter, MN, Madison, MN, Watertown, SD and she returned to MN in May of this year. She is survived by her children, Leonard (Sharon) of Rochester, MI, Robert (Pat) of Pine River, MN, Carolyn (Don Jants) of Marshall, MN, Donald (Liana) of Philadelphia, PA, David (Karen) of Ft. Collins, CO, and Marlys (Jim Mercie) of Watertown, SD. She is also survived by seventeen Grandchildren and numerous Great Grandchildren, one Great Great Grandchild, her sisters; Cec Lexcen of St. Paul, Dorothy Conley of St. Paul, Mary Coudron of Marshall, and Katherine Robertson of Mesa Az. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo, an infant daughter Leona, and a brother, Harry. Helen was born on July 24th, 1915 outside of Minneota, MN to Michael and Alida (Claeys) Stassen. She was baptized, confirmed and received First Communion at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota. Her family had a farm outside of Minneota and she graduated from Minneota High School in 1934. After her marriage to her husband Leo in 1936, also at St. Edwards, they moved to a farm near St. Leo and farmed the land for 25 years. After selling the land, they moved to Woman Lake near Hackensack. In 1980, they moved to Norway Lake near Pine River, MN and then to Madison, MN. An avid outdoors person all of her life, she loved gardening, fishing, hiking and also enjoyed traveling to the South during the winter months. Her Catholic faith was most important to her, and she was deeply committed to it throughout her life. She and her husband were active members in the various parishes where they attended regularly. She will be greatly missed as a wonderful and loved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister and friend.