Helen Elizabeth (Gorsegner) Davis

Helen Elizabeth (Gorsegner) Davis, age 99, passed away at her home in Canton, Minn., on November 12, 2024. 

Helen was born Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 1925, to Gustav and Ella (Hansen) Gorsegner in rural Thorp, Wis. She was baptized May 10, 1925, and confirmed August 18, 1938, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural Thorp. She graduated from Thorp High School in 1943 and was employed several years at Thorp Finance Coop.

Helen Gorsegner and Thomas Edward Davis were united in marriage on February 19, 1946, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They moved to Canton, Minn., in 1957 where she was bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Davis Construction. She also worked at the Canton State Bank. Helen was a member of Henrytown Lutheran Church in rural Canton where she served as deacon for nine years, sang in the church choir, and was a member of the Mary Circle and WELCA.  

Her special interests included her vegetable and berry gardens, and mowing and caring for her yard. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and hardanger, and traveling, especially with Zimmer Tours in the United States and Canada.  She also visited several countries in Europe with her friends.  She enjoyed being a member of the Canton Lunch Bunch and the Canton Historical Society. She was active in the SAIL exercise program.

Helen is survived by two sons, Thomas L. (Barbara) Davis and William H. Davis, both of Canton, Minn.; a grandson, James (Kristi) Davis of Canton; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Peter) Erickson of Chatfield, Minn.; five great-grandchildren: Brent (Crystal) Erickson of Ostrander, Minn., Chandler (Aleksie) Erickson, Davis Erickson and fiancé Abby Wieser of Rochester, Minn., Delanie Davis and friend Nathan Cremer of Harmony, and Avery (Cody) Lueck of Canton; five great-great-grandchildren: Ryder and Rhiley Vreeland of Harmony, Sadie and Daisy Erickson of Fountain, Minn., and Sutton Jo Lueck of Canton; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband Tom Davis in April 1990, her brother-in-law Carl Broeking in 2007, brother Leonard and sister-in-law Marcia Gorsegner, sister Regina (Gorsegner) Broeking, and daughter-in-law Diane Davis.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Saturday, November 16 at the Henrytown Lutheran Church in rural Harmony.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.  The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting the family.