Helen Scharlemann

Helen Marie (Gilbertson) Scharlemann. Mom passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve at the age of 102. She will be missed by her family, daughters Denise (Denny) Scharlemann (Bob Cochrane) and Romaine Scharlemann (Rich Baker); grandsons Devin and Russell Baker. Also survived by sister Elynor Bagstad (Lowell Bagstad); and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband; our dad, Alfred Scharlemann; her papa and mama, Syvert and Clara Gilbertson; and eight siblings. Mom grew up, third from the oldest, in Benson MN, in a big, close-knit Norwegian family. She moved to St. Paul after high school to take a job at the Department of Agriculture where she worked for nearly 20 years and met dad. They married in June 1941, just before he left for the European theater (Army) and did not see each other again until December 1945. Eventually they settled on Girard Avenue in Minneapolis and raised two daughters to love the beautiful parks, the chain of lakes and diversity of city life as much as they did. She was an avid reader, bridge player and enjoyed Minnesota Orchestra concerts. An eager traveler, she appreciated the trips she and dad took to Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. She had decades of fun with dad and the companionship of close friends from church and the neighborhood, hosting dinners for bridge and poker club. A feminist and proud democrat she never shied away from sharing her liberal political opinions. She taught her daughters the value and reward of hard work and the importance of work/life balance. She loved her family fiercely and was forever grateful that her daughters chose to settle in the same neighborhood so holidays and birthdays were celebrated together and grandchildren were just a bike ride away. She loved Christmas and knew that we would all be together Christmas Eve when the angels finally came for her.