"I am saddened to hear of Helen?s passing. When we moved to Rushford in 1998 we knew nobody. She was the first person to greet us and welcome us at church. Helen became our kids? Rushford Grandma. With no family within hours of us, she babysat Nicole and Josh when we wanted a date night. She somehow made it through the kids practicing piano and percussion before bed! Years later she always mentioned that when we visited. God truly gained an angel! We will miss Helen!! Bernie, Jenny, Nicole, Josh Wehseler"
In loving memory of
Helen Novlan
April 30, 1927 - April 11, 2021
Helen's Funeral Mass will be recorded to the Root River Catholics You Tube page and can be viewed there when it is posted following the Funeral Mass.
Rushford, MN - Helen Dorothy Novlan, 93, of Rushford, MN died on Sunday, April 11, 2021,
at her home with her loved ones at her side.
On April 30, 1927, Helen Dorothy Park was born to Walter and Olga (Salonen) Park in
Eveleth, MN. It is there that she grew up and graduated from Eveleth High School. As a child,
her favorite thing to do was to play beauty operator and this led to studies in cosmetology and
graduation from Ritter's Beauty School in St. Paul, MN. A special highlight during these early
years occurred on September 6, 1947 in Eveleth when Helen was united in marriage to her
"special man", Stanley Novlan. It was in 1960 that Helen and Stanley moved to their
"forever home"... Rushford. Following true to her passion, Helen owned and operated her
own beauty salon for the next fifty years while Stanley taught AG at Rushford High School and
worked passionately with the Future Farmers of America Organization. Sadly, Stanley passed away
in 1987.
For 61 years, Helen embraced and actively participated in all aspects of life in Rushford. This
included her love of gardening, her beloved cat named Critter, playing golf... mostly with the men
(provided that they "walked the course"!!) and bowling for 23 years on the Rushford Foods
Bowling Team. Most of all, volunteering and "being of service to others" defined Helen.
Since 1961, Helen was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and currently was a trustee and
member of the finance committee. She is known most affectionately as St. Joseph's "Mother
Superior".
In 1962, Helen began her service to the Rushford American Legion Auxiliary Post 94. She
held the office of president for three years which was followed by an active commitment to the
organization and its good works. A special yearly
effort included the placement and removal of crosses on the graves of all veterans.
Helen's efforts extended to a seat on the Winona Votech Cosmetology Board and also Winona
Votech's General Board until it was incorporated into Winona State, long term membership and
secretary responsibilities for a time in the Rushford Historical Society, volunteering at the
Good Shepherd Lutheran Services, delivering Meals on Wheels for decades, being a member of
Rushford's Zoning Appeals Board and also being the best babysitter for Julisa and Charlie
Kinneberg!
Community recognition of Helen's efforts occurred in 1995 when Helen and Doc Pete were
named Mr. and Mrs. Rushford for the Homecoming Celebration. Reflecting back on her
life, Helen said she would like to be remembered for "just being me".
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Stanley, and niece Nancy Jones.
She is survived by her sister, Ruth Johnson; nephews and nieces: Charles (Barb) Durham,
Jackie Kindsvater, Steve and Edith Novak, CeCe Novlan, Karen Robinson, Shirley and Mike Tanko,
Nancy and Marc Sager; nephew-in law Jerry Jones; many great nieces and nephews; and her
"Chosen Family": Jed and Melisa Kinneberg and children, Julisa and Charlie who named Helen
"Grandma Henner", and Andrea Konetchy.
There will be a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rushford for Helen on
Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11:00am with Monsignor Tom Melvin officiating. Burial will
follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Rushford. Visitation will be on Friday, April 23rd
from 4:00-7:00 pm at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford and also one hour prior to the
Mass on the 24th at the church. It is the family's preference that memorials in
Helen's memory be made to:
• St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Rushford
• Rushford-Peterson Future Farmers of America
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Services
All donations may be mailed in care of: The Helen Novlan family, Hoff Funeral Home,
PO Box 625, Rushford, MN 55971
Please leave a memory of Helen and sign her online guestbook at: www.hofffuneral.com Hoff
Funeral Home - Rushford is assisting Helen's family with arrangements.
Tributes
"Helen was truly an angel on earth. She was a wonderful person. When I remember her from many years ago I had no idea what an impact she would have on our family. Grandma Henner to all my grandkids especially Julisa who gave her that name, a great friend and neighbor to Jed and Mel and totally a part of our family. There is a void in all our lives but as Helen herself said she lived a long wonderful life. We will miss her greatly as will this whole town all that knew her are better for it. Rest In Peace our dear friend "
"Family and Friends of Helen, We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to you and your families. We were saddened to learn of Helen?s passing. We commend her on all of her contributions and accomplishments during her lifetime. We are indebted to her for her leadership and contributions to our church (St. Joseph), Good Shepherd Nursing Home and Meals on Wheels. She played and integral and instrumental role in helping us serve others and in meeting the spiritual needs of others as well. Please take solace in her contributions to our church, citizens/organizations and community, as they will benefit from her ?zest for life? for generations to come. The saying goes that when we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that will watch over us. May you take comfort in knowing that you now have an angel named ?Helen?, who will lovingly watch over you. Please trust that Helen is in the warm embrace of the ?Good Lord? and is at peace. Her pain and suffering is over and she will enjoy the joys and comforts of heaven. May the Good Lord bless and comfort you and your families during this time of grief. We have you and your family members in our thoughts and prayers. Chuck, Sharon & Paul Ehler Rushford "
"We were so sorry to hear that Helen had lost her fight for life. Helen was such a special person. It was always fun to just visit with her. She will be missed by many friends. We thank the Lord for such good memories of her. Rob & Bettie Lou Bunke"
"sorry for your loss , When bowling in rushford it was allways a pleasure to bowl against Helen "
"Helen was the nicest, warmest, funniest, most energetic person! What a wonderful life lived, and she is hearing now, \"Well done, good and faithful servant.\""
"Helen was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. So glad I got to give a big hug just a few weeks ago. We were going to get together and talk about running a business in the \"old days\". I spent a lot of time in that beauty shop. I will miss her forever."
"Growing up next door to Stan and Helen was an adventure and challenge with Stan\'s garden so close! It was fun to go to Helen\'s Beauty Shop as a kid. She always remembered me even after the 20+years we were away from Rushford. She always had a smile, always asked how you were and always seemed to know what was going on. May those in whom she planted joy and life grow and multiply those seeds of blessings in our community. Enjoy your well earned heavenly mansion, Helen! Sherryl Brand Brunner"
"Heaven has gained a beautiful angel but Rushford has lost a wonderful lady she will be greatly missed. We will miss you Helen!
Larry and Janice Johnson"
"Helen was the best neighbor a person could ask for. In our four (4) years living across the street from Helen, We enjoyed her infectious smile, her energy, her treats and most of all her love. Rushford has lost a beautiful person, heaven has gained a most precious angel. She is now with her Lord and her beloved Stan. My sympathy to all those who knew and loved Helen. She will be truly missed by so many. Your Old River Street neighbors, Shayna, Joe and Matt Dais"
"Helen always had a smile for you and a good morning when you came into church and she took me under her wing and was training me to take over her roll at church. I only hope I can do her justice. She will be dearly missed. My condolences to her family and friends. Beth Schueler"
"Lause jota sanotaan kun joku kuoli. To my Finnish friend and the only other Finn that I know in the area. "
"RIP my finnish friend. The only other Finn that I know of in the area. Lause jota sanotaan kun joku kuoli."