Helen Lucille (Nelson) Gerritsen

Helen “Toots” Lucille (Nelson) Gerritsen, 102, of Walker, Minnesota went home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, from the Alex Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN.

Helen was born September 23rd, 1919, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to Nina (Gabrielson) and Andrew Nelson.  She came to the United States when she was four years old.  She lived in St. Paul, MN where she graduated from Central High School.  Helen married Anton Karel Gerritsen on March 8th, 1941.

In 1948, Helen and Tony and family moved to Walker, MN where they operated the Hiway Store for 16 years.  Helen also worked at Ah-Gwah-Ching for 19 years before retiring on March 4th, 1983.

She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, a Past Noble Grand of the Rebekah Lodge and a member of the Eastern Star.

In her retirement Tony and Toots traveled to Texas every winter and returned to Walker in the summer. In 2005 she no longer traveled to Texas and stayed year-round in Walker; where she kept busy feeding EVERY animal that passed through her yard. She also enjoyed her time attending the Walker Senior Center along with being the BIGGEST Vikings Fan!

In 2019 her life drastically changed due to a serious fall. She had major surgery, rehabilitation, and could no longer live safely on her own. She then moved into Alex Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN where she could be close to her family. She resided in Alexandria until passing away.

Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Antoinette “Toni” (Donald) James; two granddaughters, Donna Edmunds and Jenna (William) Willen; great grandchildren, Danielle and Garrett James, Preston, Noah and Payton Willen and several nieces and nephew.

Helen is reunited with her husband, son, parents, brother, sister, grandson, and grandson in-law.

Helen’s family welcomes each of you.  Your presence is a tribute to Toots and her family.  This memorial service is the way our society provides for the death of one of its members.  It is an occasion for showing our affection and respect for Toots, and for expressing our sympathy and concern.  Your presence at this memorial service, in the company of family and friends contributes to a fellowship of support extended to the family and relatives.  They appreciate your personal attendance, by being here you have communicated that you care.  This gesture is of immeasurable value and speaks significantly of your love for Toots.

A memorial service for Toots will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, at Northern Peace Funeral Home, 114 Tianna Drive, Walker, MN.  A one-hour visitation will be held prior to services at 12:30 p.m. also at the funeral home.  Pastor Wes Brooks will officiate.  Toots’ final wishes were to be scattered in her favorite places, which will take place at a later date.

Toots’ care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com.  Thank you for allowing us to care for our friend, it is an honor too great for words.

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