In loving memory of

Helen L. Eichenberger
July 24, 1924 - November 20, 2020

A private family funeral service for Helen L. Eichenberger, 96, of Lakota, will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona. Burial will be in Greenwood Township Cemetery. The funeral and graveside service will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Parkinson's Foundation or Accura Healthcare of Bancroft.

Helen (Bergum) Eichenberger was born July 24, 1924, in Bancroft, daughter of Iver and Katherine (Walders) Bergum. She attended country school before attending and graduating from Bancroft High School.

Helen was united in marriage to Lloyd Eichenberger on 11/28/1948 on her parents' farm. They farmed in the Lakota and Bancroft area. Helen remained on the farm until she moved to Stonebridge Suites in 2016.

Helen enjoyed gardening, reading, and making meals for her family. Her potato salad, apple pie, strawberry pie, caramel rolls, cinnamon rolls, and molasses cookies were some of the family favorites. She prepared many, many Thanksgiving and Christmas family meals and enjoyed doing it. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. She also loved attending any sporting events, musical events, plays, dance, etc. that her children and grandchildren were a part of. She was probably one of the loudest cheerleaders at the sporting events.

4-H was special to her family and those blue ribbons (or better) received for the gardening projects were due to her gardening skills. For many years she made a meal of fried chicken, potato salad, and apple pie for all of us to enjoy during the lunch break at the annual swine show at the Kossuth County Fair. That was a family tradition we will never forget.

Family was everything to her and she cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. You were sure to hear a story about one of them whenever you talked to her.

Helen was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakota, Iowa, and a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bancroft, Iowa. She was a Sunday School teacher for a number of years and also a Girl Scout Leader.

Helen died Friday, November 20, 2020, at Accura Healthcare of Bancroft. She was 96.

Helen is survived by five children: Lowell (Marilyn) Eichenberger of Lakota; Lloyd (Linda) Eichenberger of Lakota; Lisa Eichenberger of North Mankato, MN; Lon (Martha) Eichenberger of Brewster, MN and Larry (Kimberly) Eichenberger of Lakota; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren and 5 step-great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lucille Reese; brother-in-law, Walter Eichenberger; sister-in-law, Jean Eichenberger, and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lloyd; a son, Loren, in infancy; a great-grandchild; four brothers, Ray, Carl, Christopher and Art Bergum; Sister, Julia Pettiecord; niece, Audrey (Bergum) Gabel; nephew, James Bergum and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Tributes

Bettye Richardson wrote on Nov 28, 2020:

"Thinking of you Lisa -- what a great life your mother had -- Bettye and Bob Richardson"

Cheryl Hamp wrote on Nov 28, 2020:

"I always liked saying \"hi\" to Helen when I was visiting in Bancroft - it was a sure thing she would give me that very comforting smile and greet me back. Even though I did not know her that well, she must have been a very loving mother to raise such a fine group of children. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you."

Darrell W Nyman wrote on Nov 25, 2020:

"What a great family Helen and Lloyd raised . I remember you going to church in Bancroft and that big tent the 4-H club had at the fair . Darrell and Marlene Nyman"

Lee Bergum wrote on Nov 25, 2020:

"Sweet lady. Wonderful aunt. Will be missed. My sympathy and prayers"

Trudy Betts Henry wrote on Nov 25, 2020:

"I never had the opportunity to meet Helen but know she must have been quite a lady,get to interact with some of her family tree and they are winners"

Douglas Nyman wrote on Nov 24, 2020:

"Rest in peace Helen. God Bless the Eichenberger family. Doug Nyman"

Brian Burt wrote on Nov 24, 2020:

"Our thoughts are with the entire Eichenberger family in this time of solace and loss. May you find strength in the upcoming days. Brian & Dawn Burt"

Carrie Bergum wrote on Nov 23, 2020:

"What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. You have all been on my mind these past few days as I remember other loved ones who left us at this time of year, and enter another sad date in the family tree. Aunt Helen was our family matriarch and the last of her generation. I always enjoyed visits with her at her apartment. She would tell me about the latest accomplishments of her many kids, grandkids, or greats. She was so proud of her ever-growing family. Invariably, someone else would be there - one of ?the boys? or a grandchild - to put on the coffee and share a sweet. I was so touched when she gave me the old pictures of Grandpa Bergum and his siblings, and her grandparents Fred and Julianna Walders. My heart is with you as you mourn and celebrate her life. Love, Carrie"

Linda Nemmers wrote on Nov 23, 2020:

"Our sympathy in your loss. Linda and Tim"

Shannon Goche wrote on Nov 22, 2020:

"I truly feel blessed to have known this sweet lady for many years. Our sympathy to the entire Eichenberger family. "

Cathy and Jim Henry wrote on Nov 22, 2020:

"My heart breaks for my cousins on the death of this.very special woman. I feel privileged to have had a part of my life. "

Julie Laubenthal wrote on Nov 22, 2020:

"You all have my deepest sympathy. I enjoyed many visits with Helen at Accura, she was a sweet lady! "