Helen A. (Cocker) Tunby

Helen Agnes (Harrison) (Cocker) Tunby, 85, of Apple Valley, MN died peacefully Sunday, May 29, 2011 after complications from surgery. She was born in Preston, MN on October 1, 1925 and grew up in the St. Charles, MN area, graduating from St. Charles High School. She married Robert A. Cocker on November 24, 1944 and lived in Mendota Heights, MN during her working years as a secretary. She and her husband moved to Rochester, MN in 1986 after spending their early retirement years in the Ozarks. She was an active member of Bethany United Methodist Church, Rochester, MN. Robert preceded her in death in December of 1998. She married long-time family friend Gordon "Monty" O. Tunby on September 25, 2004. Helen received a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in 1995 and at that time was their oldest liver transplant recipient. She is survived by a son, Robert J. Cocker (Michelle) of Apple Valley, MN, a daughter Kay L. (Cocker) Simpkin (Douglas) of Mukwonago, WI, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, 2 sisters and 3 brothers. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert A. Cocker, second husband, Gordon O. Tunby, and an infant daughter, Cheryl L. Cocker. She was also preceded in death by 1 sister and 4 brothers.A Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, June 3, 2011 at Bethany United Methodist Church in Rochester, MN with the Reverend Doctor Wesley Gabel officiating. A Luncheon will follow the service and a graveside service will be held at 2pm at Saratoga Cemetery in rural St. Charles. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials are preferred to the American Liver Foundation, FBO Great Lakes-Minnesota Chapter.Please share a memory of Helen in her online guestbook and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com