Helen Johnson Thorstad
d. February 24, 2015
Helen was born on a farm in Erickson Township, Renville County, Minnesota on December 26, 1917 to Albert and Thora Frank. She attended country school with her brothers, Edwin and Tyler. Helen was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart.
She moved with her parents to Clara City where they operated the Idle Hour and it was there that she met her husband, Dick Johnson.
During war years she lived in Minneapolis and California. Following WWII, they lived in Clara City until their purchase of the Salem Dairy in Salem, SD.
Helen, Dick and their son, Steve later moved to Colton SD where they operated a Surge milking machine franchise. Finally, in 1967, they moved to her hometown of Sacred Heart MN.
After Dick’s passing in 1969, she continued to operate Helen’s Lunchroom making her “famous” gravy and Norwegian egg coffee.
She later married Orville Thorstad in Sacred Heart.
She passed away, Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at the Renvilla Health Care Center where she had resided for the past 7 years. She enjoyed the staff who provided her with loving care.
Helen was an animal lover having had many dogs and cats over her lifetime. Starting work at the age of 12, she had so many jobs over the life they are too numerous to mention!
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husbands and is survived by her son, Steven R. Johnson of Winthrop MN, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She moved with her parents to Clara City where they operated the Idle Hour and it was there that she met her husband, Dick Johnson.
During war years she lived in Minneapolis and California. Following WWII, they lived in Clara City until their purchase of the Salem Dairy in Salem, SD.
Helen, Dick and their son, Steve later moved to Colton SD where they operated a Surge milking machine franchise. Finally, in 1967, they moved to her hometown of Sacred Heart MN.
After Dick’s passing in 1969, she continued to operate Helen’s Lunchroom making her “famous” gravy and Norwegian egg coffee.
She later married Orville Thorstad in Sacred Heart.
She passed away, Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at the Renvilla Health Care Center where she had resided for the past 7 years. She enjoyed the staff who provided her with loving care.
Helen was an animal lover having had many dogs and cats over her lifetime. Starting work at the age of 12, she had so many jobs over the life they are too numerous to mention!
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husbands and is survived by her son, Steven R. Johnson of Winthrop MN, as well as several nieces and nephews.
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