Helen I. Ehrie

Helen I. Ehrie, age 98, of Decorah, IA, died Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at Wellington Place in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean – Carlson officiating. Burial will be in Pontoppidan Cemetery in rural Decorah. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, February 12 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Saturday one hour before the service at the church. Helen Iola (Geving) Ehrie was born on August 4, 1917 at the family home in Fillmore County, Minnesota, the daughter of Herbert and Anna (Jacobson) Geving. She was baptized September 17, 1917 at Fremont Lutheran Church in Minnesota and was confirmed September 6, 1931 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, IA. She attended country school in rural Allamakee County and then Beauty School in Minneapolis, MN. Helen was united in marriage to Orin Jasper Ehrie on March 11, 1943 at Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage in rural Decorah, IA. To this union four children were born: Herbert, Donna, James and Jolene. Helen helped Orin with the farm as they raised their four children. She was a self-taught musician, playing violin, accordion and piano. She played with the group “Nordic Trio” for many years. She loved painting, sewing, crafts, gardening and all of her flowers. She always made time for playing cards with her family and games with her grandchildren. Helen and Orin loved dancing and spending time with their neighbors and friends. She also had a great sense of humor. Helen loved chickens and all other animals, some of which she would allow to live in her home. She was a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Orin on April 22, 2012; an infant daughter, Linda Lee Ehrie; her sister Arlene Snitker; her sister-in-law Gerda Teslow; her brothers-in-law, Ingeman Teslow and Irvin Snitker; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Helen is survived by her four children: Herbert (Alverta) Ehrie, Donna (Clifford) Dee and James (Karen) Ehrie, all of Decorah and Jolene (Wayne) Roseler of Berthoud, CO; her eleven grandchildren: Marie (Randy) Tweten, Byron (Amy)Ehrie, Bradley (Mindy Larson) Ehrie, Melanie (Earl Brainard) Ehrie, Lisa (Jeff) Troendle, Laurel (Mark) Weighner, Annie (Mike Hudecek) Dee, Kjersti (Arianne Tange) Ehrie, Mari (Greg) Lewey, Travis (Lily) Chrystal, Trevor (Danielle) Chrystal; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; and by many cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Glenwood Local Cemetery Fund, 1197 Old Stage Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101.