Helen Meese

Helen M. Meese, age 81 of Faribault, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Brookview Manor Nursing Home in Brookings, SD, following an extended illness.             Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church (139 Mercy Drive) in Faribault with the Reverend Kevin Finnegan, officiating. Interment will be held at St. Martins Parish Cemetery in Huron, South Dakota.             Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. The rosary will be recited at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.             Helen Mary Healy was born on Sept. 6, 1929 in Faribault, MN to John and Frances Nora (Cashin) Healy. She spent her younger years in Shieldsville, MN and graduated from Bethlehem Academy with the class of 1946. After high school she attended St. Scholastica for a year and then worked in Glacier Park and Faribault until she was united in marriage to Linford Meese on September 13, 1952. After their marriage they lived in Grand Island, NE, Colorado Springs, CO, Denver, CO and Casper, WY. They moved to Huron, SD in 1962 where Linford established his own firm as an architect and Helen stayed home to raise their family. Helen was active in their church and community and worked as a legal secretary after their children were grown.             Lin and Helen moved to Pierre, SD in 1991 where Helen worked at Buchanan Grade School and took care of Linford in his last years. He preceded her in death on Oct. 7, 1994.             Helen moved back to Faribault in 2002 to be near her family and friends. She enjoyed the company of her brother and sister and their families and also the fellowship of her church.             Faith and family were very important to Helen and she was also very proud of her 100% Irish Heritage. She was a diehard Twins fan and had the great pleasure of watching a game at Target Field. She will continue to cheer them on and watch over her family from above.             She is survived by three children, Lynne (Leo) Warnke of Brookings, SD, Martin Meese of Burnsville, MN and Mary (Todd) Ronke of Watertown, SD; by four grandchildren, Michelle Warnke, Matthew (Karyn) Warnke, both of Brookings, SD and Cori and Caitlin Clark, both of Watertown, SD and by her great granddaughter, Stella Warnke of Brookings, SD; by her sister, Marie (Don) Jasinski of Faribault, MN; by her brother, Robert (Betty) Healy of Faribault and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.             She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her sister, Marian Healy and by two brothers, John William and Edmund Healy.