Helen Elaine Hansen

Helen Elaine Hansen, the daughter of Chris and Christine Sonksen Albertsen, was born December 24, 1934, at her parents home in Douglas Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died January 17, 2011, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 76 years and 24 days.
Helen was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township northwest of Audubon, Iowa. She attended rural school Douglas #2 then graduated from the Audubon High School with 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 Helen was united in marriage to Eugene Howard Hansen at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Audubon. They moved to a farm in Greeley Township, in Audubon County. Helen was a homemaker, raising two sons and actively farming with Gene. They grew many crops, raised livestock, and volunteered in the Audubon and Exira communities.In 1990, Helen and Gene received the Outstanding Farmer of the Year Award, from the Audubon Chamber of Commerce.They worked together, farming for 42 years, before retiring in 1998. They moved to Audubon in September, 2001. Gene died December 12, 2002. Helen continued living in their Audubon home, until moving to the Friendship Home in July, 2005. Helen loved spending any extra time visiting with family, friends and neighbors, but her biggest joy was seeing and watching over her four grandchildren.
Helen was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. She was involved in Rebecca Circle, Circle Planning Committee, Church Choir, and helped with Bible School. She was a member of the Sunshine Helpers Neighborhood Club for 45 years.She organized and volunteered with the Audubon Co. Cow Belles, to help promote beef to consumers. In 1981, Helen received the Audubon Co. Operation T- Bone Lady of the Year Award. Helen enjoyed sewing, needlework, and contributed her talents as a 4-H Club Leader, Youth Council Leader, and at the Audubon Co. Fair, as Superintendent of the Textiles & Fabrics Department. Helen particularly enjoyed the Agri-Hall Youth Skating activity and helping the kids. She actively volunteered for Friendship Home activities, visited residents, and was a member of the Audubon Garden Club.
Helen was 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; her sister-in-law: Janice and husband Ronald Wellendorf; her aunt Helen M. Hansen.
She is survived by her sons: Steven R. and wife Joni Hansen of Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska; Scott A. and wife Kit Hansen of Adel, Iowa; her grandchildren: Dane Hansen and Reid Hansen both of Ft. Calhoun; Emily Hansen and Sophie Hansen both of Adel, Iowa; her mother-in-law Arlene Christensen of Audubon, Iowa; her sister and brothers: Alma and husband Richard Wetzel of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Alvin Albertsen of Audubon; LeRoy and wife Sharlene Albertsen of Carroll, Iowa; her sister-in-law: Carolyn Albertsen of Audubon; Marilyn and husband Keith Grabill of Audubon; Nadene and husband Russ Peppers of Prescott, Arizona; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Friday, January 21, 2011, at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa.