Helen I. Ehrie

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:33 pm

Helen I. Ehrie, 98, of Decorah, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean – Carlson officiating. Burial was in Pontoppidan Cemetery in rural Decorah. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and Saturday one hour before the service at the church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Helen Iola (Geving) Ehrie was born Aug. 4, 1917, at the family home in Fillmore County, Minn., the daughter of Herbert and Anna (Jacobson) Geving. She was baptized Sept. 17, 1917, at Fremont Lutheran Church in Minnesota and was confirmed Sept. 6, 1931, at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon. She attended country school in rural Allamakee County and then Beauty School in Minneapolis, Minn. Helen was united in marriage to Orin Jasper Ehrie March 11, 1943, at Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage in rural Decorah. To this union four children were born: Herbert, Donna, James and Jolene. Helen helped Orin with the farm as they raised their four children. She was a self-taught musician — playing violin, accordion and piano. She played with the group “Nordic Trio” for many years. She loved painting, sewing, crafts, gardening and all of her flowers. She always made time for playing cards with her family and games with her grandchildren. Helen and Orin loved dancing and spending time with their neighbors and friends. She also had a great sense of humor. Helen loved chickens and all other animals, some of which she would allow to live in her home. She was a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Helen is survived by her four children: Herbert (Alverta) Ehrie, Donna (Clifford) Dee and James (Karen) Ehrie, all of Decorah and Jolene (Wayne) Roseler of Berthoud, Colo.; her eleven grandchildren: Marie (Randy) Tweten, Byron (Amy) Ehrie, Bradley (Mindy Larson) Ehrie, Melanie (Earl Brainard) Ehrie, Lisa (Jeff) Troendle, Laurel (Mark) Weighner, Annie (Mike Hudecek) Dee, Kjersti (Arianne Tange) Ehrie, Mari (Greg) Lewey, Travis (Lily) Chrystal, Trevor (Danielle) Chrystal; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and by many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Orin April 22, 2012; an infant daughter, Linda Lee Ehrie; her sister Arlene Snitker; her sister-in-law Gerda Teslow; her brothers-in-law, Ingeman Teslow and Irvin Snitker; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Glenwood Local Cemetery Fund, 1197 Old Stage Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101.