Helen Dorothy Hollingsworth was born Oct. 6, 1931, to Otto M. and Dorothy K. (Mikkelsen) Have in Redwood County near Milroy. She was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Milroy. She attended Tracy Public Schools for nine years and graduated from Milroy High School in 1949.
On Oct. 12, 1949, Helen was united in marriage to Vernon Hollingsworth at the Holly Methodist Church near Walnut Grove by Rev. Gerald Morgan. She joined the Holly Methodist Church in 1950 and was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Ladies Aid. Vernon and Helen became the parents of two sons: David and Thomas, and a daughter, Wendy. They farmed southeast of Tracy for 38 years. Helen was employed for 13 years as secretary to the guidance counselor at Tracy High School. When the Holly Methodist Church closed, they joined the Tracy Methodist Church where Helen was a member of the Women’s Society and the Esther Circle. She was a member of the Tracy American Legion Auxiliary where she served as president and secretary.
She was also a life member of the Benson VFW Auxiliary, serving as trustee and as secretary. In 1987, Vern and Helen bought a crop insurance agency and moved to Benson. Helen was an agent in the agency along with Vern. They joined the Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC in 1988. Helen was sec/treas of the Women’s Fellowship, church financial secretary, a work unit chairman, president of the Evening Circle and served several terms on the Board of Diaconate.
She was coordinator for Nutrition on Wheels for her church and also delivered meals. Helen was a senior companion for Lutheran Social Service, worked for Butch’s Catering and was a member of the hospital auxiliary. She also cleaned the ag service center for 18 years. Helen loved to walk, cook and knit, but she was happiest when she could work around her house and yard. She also loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved country music, especially music by Charlie Pride, Harry Belafonte and Jim Reeves.
Helen died February 15, 2024, at the age of 92 years, four months and nine days, of natural causes. She is survived by her children, David (Cindy) Hollingsworth of Kingman, AZ, Thomas (Jill) Hollingsworth of Benson, and Wendy (Tim) Sigrist of White Bear Lake; grandchildren, Justin (Alicia) Hollingsworth of Kingman, D. Jed (Raychel) Hollingsworth of North Platte, NE., Shannon (Brian) Voges of Sioux Falls, SD, Jaime (John) Byers of Walnut Grove, Ashley (James Carlson) Maki of Isanti, Nicholas (Jackie) Sigrist of Princeton. Step-grandchildren JJ Gladis, Jesse (Lori) Gladis, Jenilee (Josh) Davidson, Joshua (Jodie) Gladis. Great-grandchildren, Dillon Hollingsworth, Courtnee (Bobby Ziemke) Byers, Caitlyn (Josh) Mason, Keisha Westerman, Bransyn Maki, Liv and Vander Hollingsworth, Abi and Kyra Fillion; 14 step-great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren, Hadynn Jenniges, Skylar Ziemke, Ellaynna, Claire and Jane Mason; one step-great-great-grandson; one niece, Laurie (Bob) Kindler; one nephew, Steve Daniels; and former daughter-in-law, Jeanette (Bruce) Lerohl.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Vern, on Feb. 5, 2013. Her parents, Otto and Dorothy Have, and brother Henry Have and her sister, Olga Mae Daniels Hicks; her father-in-law, Harley and Helen Hollingsworth.