Helen (Lund) Blekeberg

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 5:12 pm

Helen (Lund) Blekeberg, 88, of Ridgeway, died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco. Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Madison Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, with Pastor Jeff Hansen officiating. Organist is Judy Hovden. Hymns are “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art.” Interment is at Madison Lutheran Cemetery in Ridgeway. Pall bearers are Ben Boeding, Roger Halverson, Don Holthaus, Rick Kuennen, Mike Leistikow, Brad Linderbaum, Dave Fadness and Carlton Kjos. Honorary pall bearers are her quilting friends. Flower committee is Ann Blickenderfer, Vonda Cummins, Betty Manning Eileen Merten and Ginny Young.

Helen Mae Blekeberg was born July 10, 1929,, the daughter of Theodore and Clara Lund in Viroqua, Wis. She grew up on the family farm. Helen attended school in Viroqua and later attended Luther College, graduating in 1950. She was a school teacher for 20-plus years and taught in Brooten, Minn., Brodhead and Oconomowoc, Wis. and Waterloo and Cresco. She taught mathematics, science and physical education. Helen married Orrin Blekeberg June 24, 1962, in Viroqua. She retired from teaching 10 years later and joined Orrin in their farming operation outside of Ridgeway. In 1991, they retired and moved into Ridgeway. Helen was a former member of the Decorah Lutheran Church and a current member of the Madison Lutheran Church, where she had served as church treasurer for many years, on the church council, and as a ladies aid officer. She enjoyed going to their do-days to work on quilts. Helen was a member of the Cresco Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild and the Clip and Stitch Quilter’s Guild in New Hampton. Helen loved to bake, especially Norwegian goodies, enjoyed reading, crafts, and tending to her flowers. Her true passion was for quilting. She spent numerous hours at her sewing machine making quilts and other projects. She loved going to quilt retreats and shopping for fabric to add to her “stash.” She kept her sewing machine close, even at the hospital and nursing home in recent months. Most of all, Helen treasured her many friendships, especially with other quilters.

Helen’s survivors include her two sisters, Irene Buschkopf, Juneau, Wis. and Esther (Gaylord) Dolphin, Onalaska, Wis.; sister-in-law, Roberta Blekeberg, Mabel, Minn.; along with several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; three special friends: Brad Linderbaum, Ridgeway, Kathy Schrader, Decorah and Jody Kuennen, Festina.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orrin Blekeberg, parents, Theodore and Clara Lund, brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert Buschkopf, Hazel (Vernon) Herman, Marcella (Orville) Smorstad, Wallace (Dorothy) Blekeberg; nephew: Ted Buschkopf; niece, Jane Blekeberg.

Helen will be best remembered for her kind and caring nature. She was an inspiration to all, especially other quilters. God bless her memory.