Obituaries

Helen Blomstrom

ARMSTRONG -- Helen J. Blomstrom of Armstrong, Iowa, passed away at the age of 81 years on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, Minn., surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial for her will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Armstrong, Iowa, with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant and Deacon John Rudd as Concelebrant. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, 2022,

at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Armstrong. Burial will be in Armstrong Grove Cemetery, rural Armstrong, Iowa.

Helen Jane Blomstrom was born Oct. 8, 1941, in Armstrong, Iowa, the daughter of Maxine (Ginn) and Fred Anderson. Helen graduated from Armstrong High School. Helen was united in marriage to Ronald W. Blomstrom on Oct. 10, 1959, in Armstrong. They made their home in Fairmont and later moved to Mankato, Minn. While in Mankato, Helen did daycare in her home for several years. The couple then moved to Armstrong, Iowa, where they were co-owners of the Corner Hardware Store in Armstrong. After a time, they opened their own business, Ron's Plumbing and Heating. Helen answered phones and did the books for their business. After several years they sold their business and Helen went to work at Armstrong Rim and Wheel. Ron got sick and Helen stayed home to care for him. After he passed away; Helen took on the loving roll of a mentor and caregiver to her six great-grandkids, making each of them feel special. She left them all with memories of that time that they will

carry for the rest of their lives. Helen had a gift for making everyone feel special in her family. Her extended family were a huge part of her life; her door was always open, and she enjoyed spending time with all of them. Helen made sure anyone she knew that was sick or had a death in the family got a meal from her, usually her raved about beef roast. Helen was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Armstrong. For many years she was an active member of the Armstrong Betterment Club, helped coordinate the 4th of July

Parade, and had been voted Armstrong Citizen of the Year. Helen also spent time on the ECHO Board in Estherville.

Left to cherish Helen’s memory are her children, Phyllis Crouch and her husband, Brian of Armstrong, Michael Blomstrom and fiance, Diann Minion of Estherville; grandchildren, Jessica Zotz and her husband, Robert of Armstrong, Joe Crouch and his wife, Alarie of Armstrong, and Ciara Minion of Mankato; great-grandchildren, Koen, Caden, and Carlynn

Zotz and Carson, Camden, and Cora Crouch; her sister, Linda Fitzsimmons and her husband Ross of Annandale, Minn.; brothers-in-law, Kenn Blomstrom and wife, Alice of Clear Lake, Iowa, Keith Blomstrom and wife, Mary of Fairmont, Minn., and Jim Wolter of St. Cloud, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Helen in death were her husband, Ronald; daughter, Ann Blomstrom; mother and father, Maxine and Fred Anderson; mother and father-in-law, Marie and George Blomstrom; brother, Loren (Delores) Anderson; sisters, Elgene (Ray) Fessler, Sue (Jim) Buchan; and sister-in-law, Elaine Wolter. Online condolences maybe left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com