Helen Joanne (Nelson) Fosso

Helen Fosso, age 80, of rural Pennock, died suddenly Thursday afternoon, November 19, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital after suffering a stroke. She died one day after enjoying celebrating her 80th birthday.

 

A private family funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 24, at Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Pennock. A video of the service will be available on the Harvey Anderson Funeral Home website, www.hafh.org. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

 

Helen Joanne Fosso was born November 18, 1940, in New London, Minnesota, the daughter of Elmo and Mildred (Anderson) Nelson. She grew up in New London, was baptized and confirmed at Lebanon Lutheran Church, and graduated from New London High School in 1958. On December 27, 1961, she married her high school sweetheart and classmate, Dean Fosso and this union was blessed with three children. Helen and Dean lived in the Willmar and Raymond areas prior to moving to Mamre Township in 1982, where they farmed for many years. Helen was a dedicated farm wife, and enjoyed baking and cooking for Dean and the others working on the farm.

 

Helen was a member and an organist at Mamrelund Lutheran Church and played for many summer and Christmas services at Old Mamre. Music was a large part of her life and she enjoyed singing and playing. She also helped organize her class reunions and looked forward to seeing many friends from years past. Her greatest joy was found in church and her family, especially her children and their spouses, her grandchildren and her great-grandchild.

 

She will be remembered with joy by her three children: Lonnie (and Penny) Fosso, Kelly (and Bob) Rodenberg, and Ryan (and Sarah) Fosso; and her grandchildren: Brandon Fosso, Trevor (and Alicia) Fosso and great-grandson, Emmitt, Kalley Fosso, Emma Fosso, Elsa Fosso, and Harris Fosso. She is also survived by her siblings: Bobby (and Lorraine) Nelson, Betty (and Ralph) Nelson, Doug (and Barb) Nelson, Kathy (and Jim) Peterson, several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many friends locally and abroad.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Dean in 2003; two brothers: Kenny Nelson and Ronnie Nelson; and a grandson: Grady Fosso.