Helen M. Arp

CALEDONIA, MINN. - Helen M. Arp, of Caledonia, Minn. departed this life on February 5, 2007, at the age of 82. She was born Helen Mae Lockhart, on June 13, 1924, to Hugh and Estelle (Jones) Lockhart. Helen grew up in Granite City, Illinois with her three brothers, Hugh, Rodney, and Quenten, and her sister, Cynthia. She attended the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana. On September 2, 1947, she married Roger Arp at the First Methodist Temple Church in downtown Chicago. They moved to New York where their children were born. Upon their return to Illinois, Helen was employed as a medical secretary with Silver Cross Hospital. In additions to being a devoted wife and mother, she was an active community volunteer and a member of Orland Park Methodist Church. In 1972, Helen and Roger retired to a farm outside of Houston, Minnesota where they enjoyed raising sheep, gardening, ballroom dancing, and traveling. Helen was a member of the Houston Presbyterian Church and the Forget-Me-Not garden club. Her dedication to the services of others led her to volunteer with A.B.L.E. Inc., R.S.V.P., and Houston County Historical Society. Helen had a kind and gentle spirit that always found the good in everyone. Helen is survived by her husband, Roger; one son, Jeff (Nancy) Arp of Corneilius, Oregon; one daughter, Jill (Tom) Diana of Houston, Minnesota; two grandchildren: Jon (Amy) Kulas of Houston, Minnesota and Katherine (Todd) Lemke of Caledonia, Minnesota; one sister, Cynthia Killoran of Geneva, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews. She was blessed with five great-grandchildren: Shelby, Dalen, Haley, Kayleen, and Aden. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers. A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Caledonia, Minnesota on Friday, February 9, at 4:30 p.m. Hoff Funeral Homes - Houston Chapel is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.