General Information
Full Name: Helen Mary Laabs
Date of Birth: May 20, 1938
Date of Death: January 15, 2013
Helen’s life story
Helen Mary Laabs
On May 20, 1938 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, Helen Mary was born to the parents of Peter and Helen (Hauer) Sauser. She was the oldest of four children. Helen’s childhood years were spent in Lakeville, graduating from Lakeville High School in 1956.
After graduating from nursing training at Saint Mary’s Nursing School as a registered nurse in 1959, Helen worked as an OB nurse. She assisted hundreds of woman in labor and delivered 8 babies by herself, when the doctor didn’t make it in time. Helen continued her work as a healer and caregiver at Valleyview Nursing Home and later at St Gertrude’s Health Care Center in Shakopee.
On August 10, 1968, Helen married James Laabs. They were blessed with Patricia and later Susan. Helen later welcomed Darcy and Andrew to the family and loved them as her children. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, Ethan, Sawyer, Helayna, Alex and Luke. They brought her countless joy. Helen also adored her many nieces and nephews.
Helen had an opportunity to travel Minnesota as a nurse with the Red Cross. She had an adventurous spirit, journeying across country to Florida and Hawaii. Helen continued her love of traveling, particular to Puerto Rico with her sister, Pat and brother, Tom. A woman of strong faith, Helen was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. Helen’s lawn was filled with flowers and hummingbirds. She fed many with her enormous vegetable garden.
The evening of Tuesday, January 15, 2013, Helen, age 74, passed away peacefully with family in her presence at Mayo Health System Hospital in Mankato, MN.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Helen, her husband of 44 years, James; daughters, Patricia (Darcy) Brown of Menomonie, WI, Dr. Susan (Andrew Akim) Laabs of North Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Ethan, Sawyer, and Helayna Brown, Alex and Luke Akim; sister, Patricia (Roger) Shirley of Farmington; brother, Thomas (Dale) Sauser of New Hampshire; other loving nieces, nephews and devoted friends.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Peter Sauser.
Pallbearers for Helen will be Darcy Brown, Andrew Akim, Ethan Brown, Robert Sauser, Mike Sauser and Brian Brandt.
The visitation will be on Friday, January 18, from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 104 West First Street, Jordan and one hour prior to the mass at the church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 19 at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 313 East Second Street, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. Helen will be laid to rest at a private family interment at Concord Hill Cemetery in Lydia, MN.
The Laabs family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jordan Chapel.
Visitation
When: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 4-7 p.m and one hour prior the service at church on Saturday.
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First Street West
Jordan, MN 55352
Service Information
When: Saturday, January 19, 2013 11 a.m.
Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Address: 313 E Second St
Jordan, MN
Private Interment Information
Location: Concord Hill Cemetery
Address: Lydia, MN
