Helen Hansen

Helen Elaine Hansen, 76, of Audubon, died Monday, January 17, 2011, at Friendship Home in Audubon.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 21, at Exira Lutheran Church in Exira.
Services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock.
The family will meet with friends at 6 p.m. Thursday, January 20, at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Helen, daughter of Chris and Christine (Sonksen) Albertsen, was born December 24, 1934, at her parents’ home in Douglas Township in Audubon County.

Helen was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township northwest of Audubon.

Helen attended rural school Douglas No. 2, then graduated from Audubon High School in the Class of 1954.

Helen worked for the telephone company for a short time, then was employed as a secretary for Southwest Iowa Real Estate in Audubon.

On December 9, 1956, she married Eugene Howard Hansen at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They moved to a farm in Greeley Township, Audubon County. Helen was a homemaker raising their sons and helping Gene farm.

They grew row crops and raised livestock. They retired from farming in 1998. They lived on the farm until they moved into Audubon in September 2001. Gene died December 12, 2002. Helen lived in their home until she moved to the Friendship Home in July of 2005.

Helen was a member of Exira Lutheran Church in Exira and was a member of the Ladies Circle.

She was a member of the church choir and helped with Bible school and all other church activities. She was a member of the hospital auxiliary and was a member of the Sunshine Helpers Neighborhood Club for many years.

She enjoyed helping at the county fair where she was superintendent of the clothing and textiles. Helen and Gene helped with any fair board activities.

She was a 4-H leader. Helen received the Operation T-Bone Cattlewoman of the Year award during the T-Bone celebration. She was active in the Garden Club and volunteered at Friendship Home for many years. Her biggest joy was spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren.

She was survived by her sons Steven R. and wife Joni Hansen of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, and Scott A. and wife Kit Hansen of Adel; her grandchildren Dane and Reid Hansen of Fort Calhoun; Emily Hansen of Ames and Sophie Hansen of Adel; her mother-in-law Arlene Christensen of Audubon; her sister and brothers Alma and husband Richard Wetzel of Council Bluffs; Alvin Albertsen of Audubon; LeRoy and wife Sharlene Albertsen of Carroll; her sisters-in-law Carolyn Albertsen of Audubon, Marilyn and husband Keith Grabill of Audubon; Nadene and husband Russ Peppers of Prescott, Arizona; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband Eugene H. Hansen; her infant grandchildren Jacob Hansen and Jennifer Hansen; her parents; her fathers-in-law Walter M. Hansen and Arthur Christensen; and her sister-in-law Janice and husband Ronald Wellendorf.