Helen Edwards

Helen J. Edwards, age 96, of Faribault, and formerly a longtime resident of Morristown, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at the District One Hospital in Faribault.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Friday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday for one hour prior to the services at church. A prayer service will be held on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Helen Jeanette DeFrees was born on September 21, 1917, in Faribault to Frank and Agnes (Caron) DeFrees. She graduated from Faribault High School with the class of 1935. She received her nurses training at St. Joseph's Hospital Nursing School in St. Paul, MN. Helen worked as a Registered Nurse in the Minneapolis area before working for Dr. David Francis in Morristown. She married Donald Edwards on November 27, 1948 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. They were blessed with six children. Helen was a devoted wife and mother and together she and Don farmed in Warsaw Township until their retirement in 2000. As their children aged, Helen continued her nursing career at District One Hospital in Faribault from 1962 until her retirement in 1979. She was involved with the Warsaw Red Cross and the Blood Bank, and with the Warsaw School as a nurse for the Head Start program and the school's Mother's Club. Helen enjoyed playing bridge with her Bridge Club and was constantly reading when time allowed. She and Don enjoyed dancing and their family travels to northern Minnesota. Don preceded her in death on April 26, 2012.

She is survived by six children, Craig (Nancy) Edwards of Ada, MN, Merrie Carol (Dave) Carter of Dallas, TX, Donna (Mike) Reuvers of Faribault, Tony (Pam) Edwards of Faribault, Marsha (Mike) DeGroot of Dundas, MN and Robert (Karen) Edwards of Salt Lake City, UT; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; sister, Cathy (George) Hackett of Faribault; sister-in-law, Thelma Smith of Florida; brother-in-law, Keith Edwards of Blaine, MN; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents; sisters, Margaret Robinson, Marian Roberts, and Yvonne Rainey; brother, Norbert DeFrees; and one great grandchild.

The Edward's family would like to thank the staff at Bernie's Grill for their kindness and great friendship over the years. Don and Helen considered you part of their special family. They also would like to thank the staff at Faribault Senior Living, Faribault Area Hospice nurses and staff, especially Janna, Karen, and Nylia, the nurses at District One Hospital 3rd floor, and Dr. Judy Fruehbrodt, for their outstanding care.

Memorials may be directed to Faribault Area Hospice, Divine Mercy Catholic Church and School, Bethlehem Academy, the ALS Foundation in memory of Helen.