Helen Monson

Helen Monson of Wheaton passed away Sunday morning at the Wheaton Community Hospital. She was 81 years old. Helen was born March 8, 1924 in Nobles Co. Minnesota to Carl and Sadie (Frey) Ahrens. She grew up in Brewster, Minnesota and graduated from Brewster High School. While in high School, Helen was a drummer in the Brewster High School Drum and Bugle Corp. Several years after high school, Helen met and married Tom Monson Sr. on March 4, 1944. While Tom was still in the military, Helen moved to the Wheaton area, where Tom returned to after the war and started farming with his Dad. While raising a family, Helen worked at many jobs in the area. She was first employed at LeeRitas Steakhouse, and then at Esther's caf on main street. Helen was foremost a bookkeeper and worked for many years as a bookkeeper for the Ford Garage in Wheaton. Between 1973 and 1983 Helen owned and managed Celeste's Womens Clothing store in Wheaton. Helen and her mother-in-law, Eva Monson, were instrumental in founding the Wheaton VFW Auxillary Group. She was very active with her church, serving for many years as a Sunday School Teacher and member of the Deacons Board. Gardening and working with her flowers were one of Helens favorite pastimes. She is survived by 3 children: Shirley (David ) Mord of Alexandria, Thomas (Judi) Monson of Wheaton, and Loretta Gerhardson of Fergus Falls, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren: Marty (Renee) Monson and Annika of Janesville, WI., Kim (Joel) Larson, Erin, Elizabeth, and Jake, of Elk River, Jennifer Dunbar and Kaitlyn of Elk River, Stephanie (Jason) St. Aubins, and Conner of Elk River, Dan Gerhardson and Ethan of Moorhead, and Dave Gerhardson of St. Cloud. Helen also has 1 brother: Henry (Eleanor) Ahrens of Wheaton, 2 sisters: Wilma Anderson of Wheaton and Marion Roost of Bullhead City, AZ. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom Monson Sr. in 1993, a son-in-law: Dick Gerhardson, 1 brother: Marvin Ahrens, and a sister: Evelyn. Funeral Services for Helen Monson will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton with Rev. Deb Crusan officiating. Her grandchildren will be her pallbearers. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton. A visitation will be held at the Ranney Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM. If you are unable to attend Helens funeral, please sign her electronic guest book at: www.ranneyfuneralhome.com