Watch Edna's Funeral Service

Edna Helgaas, age 90, of Winger, MN, died Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN.

Edna June Rude was born on June 14, 1931, at home, rural Fertile, MN, to Henry and Ida (Lewis) Rude. She was baptized into the faith at Faaberg Lutheran Church in Rindahl, MN. As a child, Edna walked and skied to her country school, and when the family moved to rural Winger, she attended McIntosh High School, graduating as class Salutatorian in 1949. In 1952, Edna married Ervin Helgaas at Gosen Church. They lived in California for the beginning of their marriage as Ervin was in the Air Force. They settled in 1954 on the farm west of Winger, where they farmed and raised dairy cattle for many years. After retirement from milking cows, she then went to work at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.  Edna worked at several jobs during her lifetime, including the Farmer's State Bank in Winger. Ervin passed away in 1994 and Edna remained on the farm until a few days before her passing.

Through the years, Edna went to her children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's games and activities. She liked keeping up with the relatives. Dancing, especially with Ervin, was one of her favorite things to do. Often old-time music was playing at her house. Edna enjoyed listening to Ervin play the accordion and the keyboard. She took a bus trip to Hostfest many times. She liked to sing, read books, and do word search puzzles. Edna liked sitting outside in her yard and sewing outfits. Her favorite food was ribs, chicken and french fries from Moran's Supper Club. She'd jump at the chance to get out on the lake. Edna liked to visit with people, tell jokes, hand out Halloween money and candy, and watch the deer out her window. If the Vikings or the Twins were playing, she was watching them. She especially liked living at home.

Edna was always up for going for a drive and taking trips. She took oil painting classes and created several paintings. When sending cards, she always wrote a personal note or letter with it. Edna was a catcher on the Winger softball team when she was younger. She played volleyball with the Winger women every Wednesday night. She enjoyed riding her bike and walking for exercise.  Edna was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Winger. She participated in Ladies Aid, Circle and the quilting group at church. Edna was a long-time member of the American Legion Auxiliary, enjoying the Halloween parties they put on.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Ida & Henry Rude; husband, Ervin Helgaas; son, Randy Helgaas; daughter, Kathy Perry; grandsons, Dylan Wang and Travis Cook; great-grandson, Steven Wang-Leavitt; siblings: Alvin (Dorothy) Rude, Mylen (Hermina) Rude, Erwin Rude, Blanche Rude, Irene (Arnold) Anderson; in-laws: Kenneth Helgaas, Palma (Rueben) Higdem, and Julian (Bernadine) Helgaas.

Edna leaves behind daughters, Cheryl (Ron) Wang of Winger and Eileen (Terry) Cook of Erskine, MN; son, Rodney Helgaas of Winger/Costa Rica; grandchildren: James (Roxy) Peterson, Jennifer Wang, Sheila (Luke) Kramer, Jarrid (Megan) Wang, Aaron (Nicole) Cook, Logan (Courtney) Cook, and Marisa Perry; great-grandchildren: Jocylyn, Jamie, Justin, and Jayden Peterson, Jordan and Hannah Davidson, Kallie Hand, Laila and Christopher Roragen, Blake Audette, Aubrey and Addylann Wang, Brody, Kolby, Sawyer and Gemma Cook; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Calvary Lutheran Church in Winger.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Winger.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, and CDC guidelines, social distancing will be practiced. Masks are strongly encouraged.  The funeral will be recorded and available for viewing the following day on our website.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available.