Helen Gravesen, of rural Webster, died January 15, 2020 at the age of 99 years, 8 months, and 13 days.

Helen Caroline Christine Olson was born to Arthur and Ella (Thompson) Olson on May 2, 1920, at the home of her grandmother in Grantsburg, Wisconsin. She graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1938.

Early jobs included waitress, housekeeper, the munitions plant during the war, packaging nuts and bolts in Rockford, IL, and sewing children’s snowsuits at Supak’s garment factory in Minneapolis.

On April 26, 1946, soon after his return from World War II, she married Donald Laurids Gravesen in Minneapolis MN. They moved to the home farm near Webster in February 1951 and Helen lived in the original house since that time until moving in with her daughter and son-in-law in December 2016. She helped with the truck farm and the dairy farm.

Helen liked to sew, knit, crochet, do embroidery and other handwork, as well as garden. She loved flowers. She enjoyed having company. She was known for cooking and baking. She made the hot cross buns for the Easter Breakfast at church for many years, baked the dinner rolls for family Thanksgivings until she was 92, and baked all the rolls for her daughter’s wedding and her own 90th birthday party! One year she had 64 entries in the Webster Fair, and through the years received many blue ribbons and championships. She was the winner of the Dairy Bake-off in 1978 and appeared on the televised competition in Eau Claire. She was an Extension Homemaker, 4-H project leader, member of Grace United Methodist Church and 43-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Helen is survived by daughter, Dianne (Edward) Weber of Webster; and son, Allen (Colette) Gravesen of Trego; five grandchildren: Maren Weber (Mike Bermudez) of Peoria Arizona, Kasey (Andy) Tveter of St Paul MN, Jessica Gravesen-Seis (Dave) of Barron, Dane (Ashley) Gravesen of Cameron, and Christian (Amber) Gravesen of Jim Falls; and great-grandchildren: Emmett and Adalynn Gravesen and Alma Helen Tveter; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents; siblings, Lowell Olson and Betty Lu Nielsen; her loving husband; and an infant grandchild, Luke Edward Weber.

The visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020, from 5:00-8:00pm at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 11:00am (visitation from 10-11am) at the Grace United Methodist Church in Webster, with Pastor Eddie Crise officiating. Interment will be held following the service at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers are: Jerry Nichols, Bruce Olson, Dennis Gravesen, Eugene Harrington, Mark Gamache, and Mark Freeborn (each of whom she chose and asked personally). Honorary Pallbearers are Steven Nielsen and Stanton Nielsen. 

Memorials preferred to Grace United Methodist Church or the American Legion Auxilliary, Webster.

Helen will be remembered for her positive outlook, welcoming home, full cookie tins, and her giggle. “I had a good life. I appreciate all my wonderful friends and family.”

Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster.

Last Update: Jan 16, 2020 7:16 am CST