Helen Irene Buysse

Helen Irene Buysse, 92, of Red Wing, died Thursday, June 13, 2013 at St. Brigid's at Hi-Park. She was born December 20, 1920, in Jasper, Minnesota to Camiel and Emma (VandeBerg) Buysse. She grew up in the Jasper and Beaver Creek area and enjoyed living on the farm and being outdoors. She was the youngest of seven children, and was her father's constant companion. She liked to be with him whenever he left the farm, especially when going to the Cattle Stock Market to trade. She and her husband - to-be, Carl, grew up only miles apart and they were united in marriage on November 17, 1938. They farmed in Jasper until moving to Red Wing in 1959, where Carl began a job at Mariner Boats. Helen worked at Erickson's and More-4 as a Pharmacy Technician. Although she always enjoyed working, spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was most important to her. Before Carl's death in 2004, Helen and Carl had just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Helen's faith was also a very important aspect of her life and she had been an active member at the Church of St. Joseph, where she was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Daughters and had served as Regional Director for the Catholic Daughters. She also spent time at church helping with funerals, singing in the funeral choir and was a Eucharistic Minister. Since 1985, she has been taking birthday cakes to residents at the Red Wing Correctional Facility. Helen was a huge Twins fan and loved flowers, birds and playing cards, especially Euchre.

She is survived by 8 children, Catherine (Jack) Kellen of Sibley, IA, Eileen (Ron) Scharpen of St. Peter, Madge (Gordy) Arnesen of St. Francis, Wayne (Kim) Buysse of Old Frontenac, Steven (Joanne) Buysse of Camphill, PA, David Buysse of Old Frontenac, Ruth Ann (Dan) McCarty of St. Joseph Island, Ontario, Canada and Jeannie (Scott) Fairbanks of Red Wing; 27 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; grandson, Jeffrey John Kellen; great grandson, John Daryl Wasmund; one brother; and 5 sisters.

Mass of Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at the Church of St. Joseph, with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred to the Church of St. Joseph or Jordan Towers.

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Visitation

JUN 18. 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066