Helen Edwards Oian

HOFF FUNERAL HOMES - ST. CHARLES CHAPEL 1-507-932-4100PETERSON, MINN. - Helen M. Edwards Oian, 55, of rural Peterson, Minn. and formerly of the Utica, Minn. area died Wednesday, May 21, 2003, at her home following a short and courageous battle with cancer. Helen was born on May 18, 1948, in Winona, Minn. to Donald and Madeline (Rislow) Edwards. She attended the Worth Rural School, graduated from St. Charles High School in 1965, and attended Winona State College. Helen lived the majority of her life on the family farm south of Utica. On February 25, 2003, she and Michael Oian were spiritually united in marriage at the Midwestern Cancer Treatment Center Chapel in Zion, Ill. Helen lived in rural Peterson since the time of her marriage. She worked at St. Charles Elementary School where she was the sixth grade camp coordinator and assisted with musical programs for over 30 years. She worked at Herff - Jones in Lewiston and in more recent years Helen worked at the Stewartville Care Center in Stewartville, Minn. in the activities department. She was a 4-H leader of the Utica Victory 4-H Club. Helen was a very active member of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles, its WELCA group, Sunday School music, and directed the church's King's Kids Choir. She was a musical participant of the Feast of Life and participated in the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots. Art, Music, and caring for people young and old were all the center of her life. She loved life, her family and lived each day to the fullest. Helen is survived by her husband Mike; two sisters: Donna (Joe) Speltz of Utica, Minn. and Marlys (Jim) Neldner of Lewiston, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one niece, Natasha. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2003, at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Rev. Mark Wilms officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in rural Peterson. Friends may call from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday at Faith Lutheran Church and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Casket bearers will be Jerry Edwards, Roger Edwards, Jack Rislow, Richard Rislow, Ray McCready, and Dan Ihrke. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Dave and JoAnn Hanson, Duane and Donna Erickson, Steve and Judy Oian, and Rev. Gary and Mary Fehring. The family prefers memorials to the donor?s choice.