Helen JoAnn (Welu) Thompson was born at Milroy, Minnesota, to parents Nicholas and Ida (Hedge) Welu on March 2, 1926. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Michaels Church of Milroy, Minnesota. She graduated from Milroy High School and Nursing School. Following college, she worked in both the Tracy and Marshall, Minnesota Hospitals. Helen married Kenneth Thompson on December 8, 1950, in Marshall, Minnesota. They were the parents of three children: Bruce, Kerry, and Becky. Kenneth and Helen were involved in farming and also construction work. She enjoyed cooking, canning, fishing, and hunting. She was a member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church and the Eagles Auxiliary. She passed away at her home in Westerheim Township, Lyon County, Minnesota, on Thursday, January 31, 2002, at the age of 75 years, 10 months and 30 days. She is survived by son Kerry (and Mary) Thompson of Cottonwood, Minnesota; and daughter Becky (and Steve) Olmstead of Glencoe, Minnesota; and grandchildren: Laura, Kyle, Jenny, Tami, Kara, Kenny, and Tyler Thompson, and Mike and Tim Olmstead. She is also survived by one sister Marie Verdeck; sisters-in-law: Louise, Betty, Lillian, and Tita; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son Bruce (1971); husband Kenneth (1985); sister Mildred Louwagie; and brothers: Ollie, Wiley, Irving, and Lyle. Blessed be her memory. Visitation Saturday, February 2, 2002, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service 6:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Sunday, February 3, 2002, 2:00 p.m. St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Mary Dodgson Organist, Connie Pehrson Casket Bearers (Grandchildren) Laura Thompson, Kyle Thompson Jennifer Thompson, Tami Thompson Michael Olmstead, Timothy Olmstead Final Resting Place St. Lucas Lutheran Cemetery, Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota