WINONA, MN - Dr. Helen N. Dachelet, 78, of Winona, MN died on Monday, September 19, 2016, at her home.
Helen was born on July 30, 1938, in Freedom, WI to John and Anna (Arnoldussen) Bowers. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Freedom High School. Through the years, Helen was always working at furthering her education. She received a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science Degree, and a Masters Degree in social work, all from Winona State University. In 1999 she received her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis.
Her career evolved from being a guardian for the courts, to presentence investigations, to probation officer. She was an associate professor at Winona State University and later was a criminal justice professor. Prior to retirement she was also a licensed psychologist.
Helen lived her life supporting nontraditional learners, and to provide financial support to the nontraditional learners, she founded the Anna and John Bowers Scholarship, named after her parents. She was also an advocate for the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama.
Helen is survived by her three children: Beth Dachelet of Hopkins, MN, David (Rachael) Hoffman-Dachelet of Minneapolis, MN, and Bill (Charlene) Dachelet of Riverside, CA; four grandchildren: Sari, Raafael, Rowan and Tara; three step-grandchildren, Donovan, Erin, and Meagan; two siblings: Dan (Elaine) Bowers and Glenn (Joy) Bowers; sister-in-law, Joann; Tom; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; and siblings: Elain, Gordon, Dorothy, Laverne, Harvey, Joyce, Vernon, and Rosie.
There will be a celebration of life for Helen at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Winona, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at St. Nicholas Cemetery in Freedom, WI, at 11:30 am on Monday, September 26.
Leave a memory of Helen and sign her online guestbook at
www.hofffuneral.com
In Lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Anna and John Bowers Scholarship Fund at WSU.