Wanda Ruth Helland

Wanda Helland, of Blue Earth, passed away peacefully on Saturday March 6, 2021, at her home, St. Luke's Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth, at the age of 99 years. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 24, at 11 AM at Patton Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Jeanette Bidne and Pastoral Intern Sarah Krolak officiating. Visitation one hour prior at the Funeral Home. Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic guidelines, masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. Patton Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.PattonFH.com

Wanda Ruth Larsen was born November 18, 1921, in Winnebago, Minnesota, the second child born to Fred and Ida (Andersen) Larsen. Wanda was raised and educated in the Huntley area and graduated valedictorian of her class. In January of 1940, she married Arlin Helland, together they lived near Guckeen and farmed and made a happy home for their children. This union was blessed with 3 children. Wanda tended to the house and kids while Arlin farmed, then she tended to the garden, flowers, canning and sewing. She was raised to learn the value of hard work and she taught her children that as well. Wanda and Arlin traveled south for many winters in their later years, where she took up oil painting, which she found to be enjoyable and she had a talent for. They did square dancing and played in card club together. Wanda didn't sit idle for long as she was involved in the Trinity Lutheran Church Circles and ladies aid group as well as the Chat and Seau Club. She was the true biblical embodiment of what it means to be a Martha. On a lighter note, Wanda was a huge Minnesota Twins fan, even getting her photo taken with T. C. Bear.

Wanda moved into Blue Earth in 1990 and then to the St. Luke's Community, South View Estates in 2015. The care she received there by the wonderful staff, is beyond words - All wonderful and caring people. Wanda will be missed for her heartfelt gestures of love and her pies -double crust, single crust, fruit and crème. They were all wonderful, but the added pinch of something special will never be matched.
Wanda is survived by her 3 daughters, Deanne (Leslie) Gill of Rochester, Ronna (Terry) Houdek of Albany, OR and LaDean (David) Roxberg of Renville; 8 grandchildren, Scott (Tracey) Gill, Shelly (Brian) Gill Murray, Stacey (Pete) Lindahl, Christopher Houdek, Sheryl Robinson, Trisha Houdek, Matt (Stacie) Roxberg and Laura Roxberg; 10 great-grandchildren, Courtney (Geoffrey) Gerardin, Brigid, Seamus and Claudia Murray, Jack and Lauren Lindahl, Emma Houdek, Alexis, Avery and Anna Roxberg; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hannah Gerardin; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Wanda is preceded in death by her husband Arlin in 2005 and sister, Helen (Wilburt) Soleta.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the St. Luke's Lutheran Care Center Employee Fund or Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth.