A Mass of Christian Burial for Helen Anderson, age 88, of Jackson, will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 7th, 2026, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Jackson. Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Jackson.

A visitation for Helen will be held on Thursday, August 6th, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Jackson. Visitation will continue on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Jackson from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a Rosary at 10:30 AM.

Helen Patricia Anderson was born on December 6, 1937, to Elmer and Mary Margurete (Pfeffer) Johnson in South Bend Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. The family lived in rural Lake Crystal and attended Holy Family Catholic Church in Lake Crystal, Minnesota.

Helen attended Madelia High School, graduating with the Class of 1955. She continued her education at Mankato State College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, minoring in Art. While at Mankato State College, she was active with the Newman Center and worked part-time for Immanual/St Jospeh Hospital. She graduated in May of 1959.

Thanks to friends setting them up on a blind date in 1959, Helen met Harold L. Anderson and the two began dating. They were married on November 24, 1962, in Fairmont, MN. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Karen, Harold Todd and Timothy.

Throughout her career, Helen dedicated herself to serving her community. She worked as a second grade teacher in Springfield and Jackson Public Schools and secretary for Anderson Accounting. After Harold passed away, she worked at both nursing homes in Jackson, with Head Start, and the Senior Dining Program.

Helen’s faith was very important to her. She loved her church and generously shared her time and talents with the Good Shepherd Catholic Church community. She taught CCD, Sunday school, and RCIA, sang in the choir, participated in the sewing circle, and faithfully participated in parish life for many years.

Known for her sweet nature, gentle spirit, and warm sense of humor, Helen never failed to greet others with a smile and a kind word. She enjoyed staying active, especially walking at the wayside rest west of Jackson. She also enjoyed exercising at Curves, polka dancing, square dancing, gardening, traveling, selling Melaleuca products, and meeting friends for coffee.

Helen and Harold were dedicated 4-H leaders while raising their children. Family was always her greatest joy. She rarely missed her children's school activities, whether it was a football game, band concert, choir performance, or another special event. As her family grew, she found great happiness in supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when she was able.

Helen was deeply committed to serving others. She served as treasurer for the Lake Promenaders Square Dancers and volunteered on the board for senior dining in Jackson. In her later years, she was a strong supporter and active volunteer for Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato, helping address food insecurity among residents in Mankato especially among college students.

Helen passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at her home in Jackson.

Left to cherish Helen's memory are her children, Harold Todd Anderson of Olivia, Minnesota, Karen Anderson of Jackson, Minnesota, and Tim (Melissa) Anderson of Greensburg, Indiana; two grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Johnson of Lake Crystal, Minnesota; and many other relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold L. Anderson; parents, Elmer and Mary Margurete Johnson; brothers, Donald Johnson, Luverne Johnson; sisters, Elizabeth Riley, Barbara Johnson; parents-in-law, Swan and Hildur Anderson and her brother-in-law, Swen Anderson.

Helen will be remembered for her unwavering faith, servant's heart, gentle kindness, and unconditional love for her family. Her life was a beautiful reflection of compassion, generosity, and quiet grace, and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.