Iryne Helferty, 96

Iryne Hanson Helferty was born on January 28, 1913 in Minneapolis, MN and died at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, ID on December 1, 2009.  She was the only child of Fred and Carrie Hanson.  She acquired a lifelong love of music and the arts in the Minneapolis public schools, which offered a classical education for college-bound students. She took advantage of an accelerated graduation program at Edison High School in Minneapolis and graduated at age 16.  She attended Winona State Teachers College in Winona, MN, earning a Teacher’s Certificate there.  Her teaching career in the early 1930’s included middle schools in several towns in North Dakota and Minnesota.

She met her future husband, Dr. John Kenneth Helferty, in Tracy, Minnesota in 1937.  They were married in August, 1938.  During the Great Depression, female teachers had to resign when they married so that teaching positions would be available to male or unmarried female teachers. Iryne continued her career as a substitute teacher after her marriage.  During World War II Iryne and Ken lived in Carmel, CA and Fort Thomas, KY, where he was stationed as a physician in the U.S. Army.  After the War, Iryne and Ken lived in Minneapolis where Ken pursued a graduate degree in surgery at the University of Minnesota.  Iryne also continued her college studies at the University and substitute taught until the birth of their only child, Scott, in 1947. 

In 1951 Iryne and Ken moved to Boise, Idaho, where Ken was Chief Surgeon at the Veterans Hospital.  Iryne became involved in community and volunteer activities over the years.  She was active in several medical auxiliaries, and volunteered for a number of years at both the Elks Rehabilitation Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital.  She was an officer and sang in the Choristers, a women’s choral group which at the time raised funds for pipe organ scholarships at Boise Junior College.  She sang in the Adult Choir at St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral for over twenty-five years, and volunteered in several of the Cathedral’s outreach ministries such as the “sack-in” lunch program for homeless people. For over thirty years Iryne brailed books, school texts, and choral music for blind people.  For almost fifty years she helped solicit yearly subscriptions for the Boise Philharmonic and the Community Concert Association.  Iryne enjoyed supporting and attending a variety of classical music venues, and occasionally could work in afternoon and evening concerts in one day. 

Over the years Iryne maintained an active correspondence with friends she had known throughout her life until the time of her death. She was widowed in 1971. After that she travelled with friends a number of times to Europe, and attended Elderhostels for over thirty years throughout the U.S. and Canada.   A lifelong Lutheran, Iryne attended Boise’s First Methodist Church, and for over forty-five years, St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral.  Memorials may be made to the Music Fund at St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Boise Community Concert Association.   

Iryne requested that there be only a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Park, 2250 Saint Anthony Boulevard, in Northeast Minneapolis. The burial is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8^th.  Iryne’s survivors include a son, Scott, Salt Lake City, and a number of cousins throughout the U.S.  Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise, Idaho.

Margaret Hoffmann, 84

Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret “Marge” Hoffmann, 84, of Marshall, was held on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Interment was held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.  The Rehkamp-Horvath Funeral home of Marshall handled the arrangements.

Margaret Mary Hoffmann was born on April 4, 1925, to Philip and Clara (Schneider) Stalpes in Madison, MN.  She attended school at St. Michael’s in Madison.  During World War II she worked at the Ammunitions Plant in Minneapolis. 

Marge married George J. Hoffmann of Marshfield, WI on June 23, 1947 at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent, MN.  Marge and George lived in Ghent, Marshall, Watertown, SD, Pipestone, Walnut Grove and then retired in Marshall.  Before moving to Pipestone, Marge worked at Baldwin’s Printing for many years.  While living in Walnut Grove, she achieved a life-long dream of owning a gift store—G & M Variety.  Her faith was very important to her, and continued to be even as she slipped into the darkness of Alzheimer’s Disease.  She attended Mass each weekday morning.  She was active as a CCW Officer at Holy Redeemer Church, Sacristan at St. Paul’s Church, Eucharist Minister at both St. Paul and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  She also volunteered at the hospital gift shop and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.   Marge’s  family was most important to her and she attended and supported them in their church and school activities. She was both a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout Den Mother.  She loved playing cards, especially bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs in all of the towns that she lived.  Marge embroidered many table cloths that she gave as gifts and most precious are the quilts that she embroidered and quilted for her children and grandchildren.  She was always ready for a good time and was always the life of the party.

Marge died on Monday, November 30, 2009, at the Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall.

Marge is survived by her daughters  Mary Jo (Gene) Bossuyt of Marshall and Jane (John) Carlson of Golden Valley; her son Mark (Carmen) Hoffmann of Albany;  grandchildren Betsy Jo (Corey) Kack of Minneota, Jeffrey (Chanda) Bossuyt of Ghent, Jay Bossuyt of Marshall, Lee (Jamie) Bossuyt of Shakopee, Jacob Carlson and Jade Carlson of Golden Valley; great-granddaughters Alyssa, Rachel and Marci Jo Bossuyt, Jordyn and Dylan Kack and Raegan Bossuyt; brothers Donald (Kathleen) Stalpes of Fargo, ND, John (Peggy) Stalpes of Klamath Falls, OR; sisters-in-law Pat (Bud) Curwick of Waunakee, WI, Jackie Stalpes of Park Rapids; brother-in-law John Gossen of Monticello; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband George on November 19, 2000, her parents, sisters Leona O’Brien and Mary Gossen, and brothers James, Joseph, and Ralph Stalpes; and infant brother Philip.

Special thanks to all of the caregivers for the wonderful and loving compassionate care that was given to her and her family while she lived in the Memory Care Unit and Sunset Lane at Morningside Heights Care Center.  You made the long trip into Alzheimer’s Disease a little easier to accept.  You will never be forgotten!!

 

 

 

James Lindstrom, 81

James “JB” Lindstrom age 81 of Tracy passed away on Monday, December 7, 2009 at the Sanford Hospital in Tracy.  Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.  A private family interment will be held at a later date.  Military honors will be provided by the Tracy American Legion.  Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.  Email condolences may be sent via www.tracyareafuneralhome.com.  The Tracy Area Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

James “JB” Lindstrom was born on June 17, 1928 in Tracy, Minnesota to Oscar and Mary (French) Lindstrom.  James grew up on a farm north of Tracy.  He attended country school District #35 and graduated from Tracy High School.  JB entered the US Army on September 28, 1946.  He was stationed at Fort Sheridan and Fort Bragg before serving in Japan until he received his honorable discharge January 15, 1948.  He then returned to the Tracy area. 

On March 7, 1953, JB was united in marriage to Mary Lou Muhl in Marshall, MN.  To this union, seven children were born.  The family resided in Tracy.  JB began working for Northwestern Bell on July 2, 1951.  He continued working there until his retirement in 1983.  Following his retirement, JB worked at Fran’s Communications in Marshall, and later at Peet’s Feeds.  James was later united in marriage to Marilyn Radke Roeder in 1978.  JB was a life member of the NRA and the Tracy Sportsman’s Club.  He also was a member of the Tracy American Legion and the Eagles Club.  JB was an honorary life member of the Communications Workers of America.  He enjoyed hunting, trapshooting, and collecting, fixing and making guns.  He also enjoyed keeping in touch with the world, friends and family through the computer.

JB is survived by his children: Susan (Craig) Roepke of Willmar, Loren Lindstrom of Tracy, Gail Lindstrom of New York City,  John Lindstrom of Belgrade, Anita (Dann) Runik of Vero Beach, FL, Julie (Steve) Garcia of San Pablo, CA, and Jay Lindstrom of Willmar; grandsons: Ryan (Andrea) Roepke and Reid Roepke; granddaughter Sydney Garcia; siblings: Joyce (Harold)  Cooper of Tracy and Joanne McCalley of Rossville, GA; three stepchildren and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, brother in law Dick McCalley, infant sister Nadine, and nephew Bruce Cooper.