In Remembrance

Helen (Thompson) Oehlerking, 97 years young, passed peacefully with her family at her side, on May 25, 2025. Helen was born in Tripp, South Dakota on July 13, 1927.

Helen married Lloyd Oehlerking on February 14, 1946, who passed away on April 11, 1968, leaving her a widow at the age of 40. Helen was a busy lady with many hats. Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. She also was a kindergarten teacher’s aide, owned and ran The Corner Bar in Big Falls with her daughter Patsy, was a bartender in the municipal liquor store in Big Falls, worked in the laundromat in Bemidji, and worked in the dining room/kitchen at Aftenro Home in Duluth.

She was a fantastic cook and baker, enjoyed making her quilts, embroidery and doilies. Helen loved flowers and so she had many beautiful flower beds, leaving each apartment complex she lived at with flowers blooming for the next resident.  Her orchids seemed to never be without blossoms.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lloyd, a daughter Theresa, her brothers Lyle, Keith, Kenny, Don and sister Ardis.

She is survived by her 6 children: Patsy Cook Pasten (Ed Olson), Jim (Donna) Oehlerking, Jan (Jon) Polecheck, Donnie Oehlerking (Kay Lievsay), Leann (Tom) Boes and Jeff Oehlerking. Her sisters: Joyce (Charles) Yotter, Frances (Duane) Peterson, Janet Dailey and her brother: Marvin (Joyce) Thompson. Her 12 grandchildren Stacy, Colin, Kevin, Scotty, Dustin, Lonnie, Rhonda, Kimberly, Chad, Nannette, Jillian and Wayne. 18 great grandchildren Ashley, Jessica, Hanna, Malia, Emily, Jace, Addie, Jacob, Tyler, McKenzie, Maggie, Brady, Zachary, Tyler, Ivy, Iris, Anna, Autumn. And 2 great great grandchildren Alexis and Matthew.

Burial will be at the Margie cemetery at 10:00am July 13th, 2025 with the celebration of life following at the community building in Big Falls, Minnesota from 11am-2pm.

Family would like to thank the staff at Aftenro Home as well as the hospice staff for the excellent loving care.