Helmi Larson

On Saturday, June 15, 2019, Helmi Lillian Larson, nee Mattson, passed away at the age of 102. Helmi was born on March 18, 1917 in Crosby, MN to John and Helja Mattson. The summer after she graduated from grand rapids High School in 1935, she met Leonard Larson. They were married on May 23, 1936 in Bemidji, Minnesota. During the Great Depression and while Leonard served in the Army overseas, Helmi worked a variety of jobs, including cooking for a sawmill and cleaning houses. She also graduated from Business College. When the war ended, Helmi and Leonard lived in many locales due to his work transfers, including California; Fargo, ND; Billings, MT; Bemidji, MN; and finally Siren, WI. Throughout their travels, she worked in men`s apparel, catering, as a sales clerk, and as a bookkeeper and credit manager for the Bemidji Coca Cola Bottling Company. When Helmi and Leonard settled in Siren, Helmi opened her own upholstery shop where she worked for 25 years until she retired. During those years, Helmi also was a championship bowler and held a place on the Board of Seniors for Burnett County for 15 years. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, the Thimble Nimble ladies sewing group, and dining out. Helmi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leonard, her three brothers, and sister. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. According to Helmi`s wishes, there will be no memorial service. Cremation was entrusted to Swedberg – Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Interment will be with Leonard at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Maple Ridge Care Center, all of whom worked hard to care for Helmi. Memorials may be sent to Siren Senior Center, Siren, WI, or Maple Ridge Care Center, Spooner, WI.