Helen M. Halsne

Helen May “Blondie” Halsne, 89, of Clear Lake, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, in Mason City, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at Galilean Lutheran Church, 4454 255th St., Clear Lake, with Pastor Scot McCloskey officiating.  Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Humane Society of North Iowa.

Helen was born on Feb. 23, 1927, the daughter of Andrew and Goldie (Reynolds) Paulson, in Mason City.  She married James Halsne on July 28, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Mason City.  He preceded her in death on May 17, 1992.

Helen grew up and attended school in Mason City.  She worked various jobs while raising her six children, and later in life worked 17 years for McDonald’s in Clear Lake, retiring at the age of 76.

Helen was a charter member of Galilean Lutheran Church, in Clear Lake.  She was a very good roller skater in her younger years.  She enjoyed dirt track racing and was known as Grandma, walking to the corner, dancing, flowers and feeding the birds.  She also liked going to the casino, bowling with friends, and especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Helen is survived by five children, Jim Halsne, of Clear Lake, Carol (Cliff) Monson, of Clear Lake, Diana (Delmar) Grinkey, of Manchester, Ill., Tom Halsne, of Lacrosse, Wis. and Mike (Trish) Halsne, of Chapin, Ill.; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Emily Reab, of Appleton, Wis.; many nieces and nephews; a daughter-in-law, Lorie Halsne, of Thornton, Iowa; and her cat, Georgie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son, Dick; a grandson, Brian Halsne; a brother, Bob Paulson; and a daughter-in-law, Judy Halsne.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.