Helen Estergard

Helen Doris Estergard, 100, of  Clear Lake, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake.  Burial will be in Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake.  The family will greet friends one hour before the service.

Family suggests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church or Opportunity Village, Clear Lake.

Helen was born June 26, 1916, near Nora Springs, in Cerro Gordo County, the daughter of Clarence Melvon and Mary Barthena (Maupin) Clawson.  She graduated from Mason City High School in 1934.  As a young woman she worked for Montgomery Wards.  Helen married Edwin Estergard on Oct. 6, 1940 in Mason City.

Helen and Edwin moved to Clear Lake where they raised their daughter, Julie.  Helen worked for the Clear Lake Schools in the cafeteria for 14 years.  She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Danish Sisterhood, Rebecca Lodge, Mother’s Study Club (charter member), the VFW Auxiliary, and Opportunity Village as a volunteer for over 30 years.

Helen is survived by her son-in-law, Jack MacDonald, Clear Lake; grandchildren, Kirsten (Charlie) Wilfahrt, Minneapolis, Minn., Barbara (Jeff) Meyer, Edina, Minn. and Joel MacDonald, Cantwell, Alaska; great-grandchildren Abigail Wilfahrt, Luke and Natalie Meyer and Fiona and Owen MacDonald; nieces, Phyllis Murphy and Kathy Helgren; and nephew, Joel Helgren, all of Mason City.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin (Jan 11, 1984); daughter, Julie MacDonald (Oct 16, 2015); two sisters and one brother.

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