The funeral service for Helen M. Jacobson was at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in rural New Richland. The Rev. Charles Espe officiated. Burial was in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland and one hour before the service at the church.

Helen died at her home in New Richland on Saturday following a lengthy battle with gastric cancer. She was 79 years old.

Helen was born in Steele County, Minn. on Feb. 13, 1923, the daughter of William C. and Frances R. (Styndl) Kuchenbecker. She attended District No. 37 country school in Steele County through the eighth grade and was a 1941 graduate of Owatonna High School. Following graduation from high school she was employed by Josten’s Inc. in Owatonna until her marriage.

On Sept. 4, 1947, Helen was united in marriage with George Jacobson at Hope Lutheran Church, in Hope, Minn. They were members of LeSueur River Lutheran Church where Helen had been an active member: Sunday school teacher. President of WELCA. President and member of various circles, altar guild and quilting group. Helen and George had been volunteers for delivering Meals-On-Wheels and the New Richland Care Center.

Helen had worked for E.F. Johnson, Waseca from 1975-89, but most of her life was spent as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had a great interest in life and her community and put other people’s needs ahead of her own. She enjoyed quilting, shopping, dancing, music and particularly visiting friends and family.

Helen is survived by her five children: Sharon Jacobson of New Richland, Judy Wyrum and her husband Paul of Hartland, Robert Jacobson and his wife Margie of Wabasha, Minn., Janice Bolinger and her husband Joe of Alden and Sandra Chapek and her husband John of Glenville. Seventeen grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Evelyn Kuchenbecker of Owatonna, Isabel Wangen and her husband Ingbert of Owatonna; brothers-in-law Reuben Jacobson and Harold Jacobson and his wife Martha of Ellendale; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, George in 2000; three brothers: August, Herbert and William, Jr.; three sisters: Margaret Hansen, Evelyn Hansen and Frances Kruckeberg; and brothers- and sisters-in-law.