Kathleen Esther Helmersen

July 23, 1940 – August 13, 2024

Kathleen E. Helmersen, loving wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma, passed away on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 with family by her side. She passed after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, at the age of 84.

Kathy was born on July 23, 1940 to Alfred and Frances Beck of Menahga, MN. When Kathy was still fairly young, the family moved to Frazee, MN. She lived in Frazee with her family on the farm, attended school in a one room schoolhouse, and graduated from Frazee High School in 1958. After graduating, Kathy moved to Astoria, OR. and lived with her sister Alice and her family. She worked at a few different places including: Lawson’s Confectionery, where you could get a banana split for $.30, or an ice cream sundae for $.20 - Wow! She also worked at Woody’s Drive-In, Liberty Theatre, and a mink pelting company, but she found her niche in banking. She was employed with a couple of different banks, but the majority of her banking career was with US Bank, both in Astoria and Warrenton. She enjoyed her job very much and loved serving the people of her community. She formed many friendships with co-workers and customers throughout her banking career. She just enjoyed being around people. Kathy retired from the US Bank after 20+ years of service. Once retired, she decided that full-time retirement wasn’t quite her cup of tea, so she went to work at Astor School as a Teacher’s Aide. She really enjoyed working with the kids in the classroom. Some of the stories they would tell her made her day. The kids adored her as much as she adored them.

It was in 1960 when Kathy met Merv through mutual friends. She and Merv dated for about a year and then decided to get hitched. They were married on August 19th , 1961 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Astoria. They began their family by welcoming their first child, Mike, in October 1962. In June of 1965, they welcomed their second child, Brenda. Kathy and Merv also provided a loving home to three of their nephews and one niece; Kris, Danny, Mikie and Carol Helmersen. Kathy was an amazing mom to all of us. She raised us all with love, kindness, and patience. She was truly one of the best moms a kid could have. She was also a fantastic Grandma to her five grandchildren; Blake, Krista, Delaney, Evan, and Brandi. Spending time and creating a bond with each of her grandkids brought her so much joy. Her family meant the world to her. Kathy was also blessed with four great-grandchildren; Liam and Lorelai (Blake & Shannon), Kristopher (Delaney & Brent), and Kallahan (Krista & Josh). Although she was battling Alzheimer’s, when the great-grandkids were around they always put a huge smile on her face. It was remarkable to watch the joy they brought to her.

If you knew Kathy, then you knew that she loved to bake. Soooo much baking! She always had an assortment of cookies stored away for company, whether that was friends, neighbors, or family. We’re not exactly sure when she started this tradition, but every year, for many years, she baked tables full of different varieties of cookies, bars, and Scandinavian treats. It became a tradition that the whole family got involved in, including her grandkids. We’d turn on Christmas music and we’d each pick our favorite cookie or treat recipe and get to baking. Some of our favorites were: Lefsé, of course, Krumkake, Lemon Bars, Snickerdoodles, Toffee Bars, and Buckeyes, just to name a few, but Kathy’s favorites were Lefsé, Prune Tarts, and Snickerdoodles. The cookies didn’t last long because Kathy would make up numerous cookie trays to share with people from work, church, neighbors, friends and family. Kathy also did a lot of baking for the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. She and her good friend, Corleen Mathews, shared a booth together where they made and sold Tarts and Krumkake. They were a very popular booth at the festival and never seemed to return home with any leftovers. Although Kathy was not Scandinavian, she took on the “Norwegian by Marriage” role very well. Kathy was very involved with the Scandinavian Festival for many years, helping from start to finish with organizing the festivities. Kathy attended, and was a member of the Lewis and Clark Bible Church for many years. She was a devout Christian and was very involved with the church and Women’s Bible Study.

Kathleen (Kathy) Helmersen is survived by her husband, Mervyn Helmersen, children: Mike (Debbie) Helmersen and Brenda Higgins; grandchildren: Blake (Shannon) Higgins, Krista (Josh) Connelly, Delaney (Brent) Clark, Evan Helmersen, and Brandi Higgins; great-grandchildren: Liam Higgins, Lorelai Higgins, Kristopher Clark, and Kallahan Connelly; siblings: Hazel Mickelson, Mike Beck, and many nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents: Alfred and Frances Beck, siblings: Alice Campbell, Dora Fennimore, Sharon Lenius, Wallace Beck; son-in-law: Chuck Higgins; stillborn grandson: Derek Higgins; brothers-in-law: Marvin Mickelson, Walt Lenius.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathy’s memory to the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Assoc., the Astoria Nordic Heritage Park, or to a charity of your choice.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Sept. 21st , 2024, at the Sons of Norway Lodge in Gearhart, OR. from 1:00-4:00pm.