Helen D. Gaare

Helen D. Gaare, 92, of Mabel, died Wednesday, October 20 at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel. 

Helen was born May 7, 1929, in the “Irish Ridge” area of Allamakee County, Iowa to Peter and Rose (Frielinger) Rouster.  She grew on the family farm and attended school in the area.  After school she worked in maternity at the Caledonia Hospital for Dr. Vernig, who was one of the few female doctors at the time.  On January 23, 1961 she married Blaine Gaare in New Albin, Iowa.  She moved to Mabel with Blaine, where she was a nurse at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home for 35 years.

Helen was a member of the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel where she taught religious education for many years and helped the Altar Society with a variety of events.  Blaine and Helen enjoyed visiting the area supper clubs, going for drives around the area, knitting, crocheting, and growing houseplants and a garden.

Helen is survived by her children Michael Rouster of Winona, Angela Gaare of Minneapolis, Dennis (Myong Suk) Gaare of Huntsville, Ala., Cynthia Gaare of Chaska, Minn., Deanna Gaare of Chaska, Minn., and Jackie (Eric) Gaare of Minneapolis; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, a son-in-law, Wes Brynsaas; a sister, Evangeline (Vangie) Schellsmidt of Caledonia; and many nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her husband Blaine, her parents, a daughter, Susan Brynsaas; two sisters, Viola Wiemerslage and Philomena Schutz; and three brothers: Irvin, Harold, and Cecil.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m., Monday, October 25 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel.  Visitation was held 4–6 p.m. Sunday at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to the service at the church. A prayer service was held at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to the St. Olaf Catholic Church or Meals on Wheels.