Helen Rotness

Helen Rotness, age 76, of Fosston, MN, passed away Monday, June 30, 2014 in Fosston. A prayer service will be held Monday, July 7, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at Carlin Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston, led by Pastor Ken Nyhusmoen. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Kingo Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston immediately following. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Helen Marie Rotness was born September 20, 1937 to John and Ida (Hanson) Rotness at the family farm in Columbia Township, east of Fosston, Minnesota. Helen attended Pine Hill School with her brothers and sisters, taught by Miss Lillian Balke, and Fosston High School, graduating in 1955.Helen along with her sister, Jean, moved to Chicago, Illinois where they were employed by the Fannie May Chocolate Co. Later, she moved back to Fosston and took over the M&H Grocery store in Shevlin, Minnesota. In the 1980s, Helen was the manager of Town Mart and also worked as a bookkeeper and designer at Koehler Floral in Fosston.Helen enjoyed spending time with her many nieces and nephews, always giving cards and presents, sewing special outfits and attending programs and events. Helen was also devoted to her beloved cats. Every stray cat in town seemed to know they could always count on a meal and a warm place to sleep if they were in the neighborhood. Her favorite cat, Lorraine, was featured in numerous photo cards with humorous stories.Helen was very active for many years at the Embassy Community Center in Fosston, serving on the board, cooking meals and volunteering countless hours. She was also a founding member of the Ambassadors of Praise singing group and the "Norwegian Singers" who sang traditional Norwegian songs around the area. Helen was a life-long member of Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston.On Monday, June 30, 2014 Helen passed away in Fosston at the age of 76 years.Helen is survived by her sisters Delores Dyrdahl of Lengby, MN, Idella Olson of Fosston, Jean (Les) Jacobsen of Moorhead, MN and Geraldine (Ralph) Hove of Fosston, and sisters-in-law Hatsue Rotness and Ellen Rotness, and numerous nieces and nephews.Helen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ida Rotness of Fosston, her brothers Kenneth of Seattle, WA, Ivan of Hibbing, MN, Harlan of Chadron, NE, Donald of Worthington, MN, sisters-in-law Eunice Rotness, Ardis Rotness and brothers-in-law Russell Dyrdahl and Truman Olson.