Please click on the video tribute below to view Helina's celebration service.

Helina Irene Meyer (Pollari) of Shelly, MN, passed away in her home on Sunday, August 10, 2025. She was born on March 30, 1951, in Isokyro Finland, to Vaino and Aune Pollari. One of four children, Helina lived in Finland with her family until they moved to Australia when she was 9 years old. She continued to live in Australia, earning her nursing degree there then decided to migrate once again, this time to the United States, earning not only her U.S. citizenship in 1976 (the nations bicentennial) but also her U.S. nursing license.

Helina had a way of falling in love with life, nature, and the people around her. She never found a craft or hobby that she couldn't master and enjoy, some of her favorites included drawing, painting, weaving, embroidery, metalwork, and most of all photography. She would teach herself these skills and often would convince others to fall in love with them as well. She kept her mind sharp by working on puzzles and crosswords.

She enjoyed spending time outdoors admiring the beauty of the nature that surrounded her. When she met the love of her life and best friend, Jonithan, she found a kindred spirit to embrace this beauty with. If they weren't camping, watching eagles soar through the sky and having a glass of wine around the bonfire, they were enjoying the sanctuary of their backyard that they worked on together and built as a place of peace and refuge from the fast pace of the world. They thoughtfully tended to the space, adding many things including rose bushes and water features as well as hummingbird feeders to make it a solace for not only themselves but animals as well. She enjoyed watching birds but had a special place in her heart for mourning doves because they are known to mate for life.

Helina liked having pet animals around her. When she and Jonithan were first married, they had dogs for a number of years before Jonithan convinced her to try having a cat. After their last dog passed away, as fate would have it, feral cats from a neighboring farm that had been demolished found a home and solace in their backyard and eventually in their home. Her home was another place Helina took pride in, especially during the holidays when she would take two weeks to decorate for Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ. She loved the Lord, was a devout Christian, and enjoyed studying the bible. When she received her diagnosis two years ago that forced her to retire from nursing, she decided to spend her time studying the book of revelations.

Helina found joy and happiness in so many things, whether it be something small like knick knacks at a thrift shop, eating her favorite foods like Cajun food, especially shrimp, Chinese, pizza, or Mexican cuisine, or admiring the beauty of a classic car. Helina brought joy and comfort to others simply by being present. She was always positive, believing the glass was always half full, and believed in being the support and safe haven for anyone who needed help. This was what made her such a great nurse, but also why she was such an irreplaceable friend.

There will never be another person quite like Helina, and she will be forever missed.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported Helina with well wishes, loving thoughts and for your presence in her life. Whether it be sending her a message, flowers, or attending her visitation or service, we are forever grateful to you and appreciate you more than you know. Thank you.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vaino and Aune Pollari; and brother, Johani Pollari.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jonithan Meyer; sisters, Maila Iisakka and Voukko Pollari; nieces and nephews, Irene, Heidi (Markku), and Jason (Sharon); and great-nieces and great-nephews, Emma, Kate, Niklas and Thomas.

Celebration of Life Service: 2:00 PM, Thursday, September 4, 2025 at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Halstad, MN.

Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Halstad, MN.

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