Helen Pries, 97, of Eyota, MN passed into eternal life on May 2, 2018 at Seasons Hospice Home in Rochester, MN. Helen was born on May 20, 1920 in Millville, MN to Ole and Josephine (Wurst) Olson.

She graduated from Eyota High School in 1937.  On April 19, 1942 she married LaVaine C. Pries in Eyota, MN. The couple first lived on a farm near Dover, MN until 1946 when they moved to Eyota.  In 1964 they moved to a farm west of Eyota.  She was a wife, mother, homemaker and caregiver.

Survivors include her sons, Rev. Dr. Lynn (Donna) Pries, of Naperville, IL and Arlynn "Arlo" (Gail) Pries of Prior Lake, MN; her daughters, Connie (Jim) Dobbins, of Idaho Falls, ID, and Bonnie (Larry) Swenson of Eyota, MN; eight grandchildren, Adam (Hilary) Pries, Rebecca (Rodrigo Lopez) Pries, Jeremy (Tara) Pries, Christine (Trent) Neutgens, James Dobbins, Kevin (Amy) Dobbins, Lucinda Dobbins, Kari (Peter) Larson; fourteen great grandchildren and two sisters, Evelyn Curtin, and Marion Rogers, both of Rochester, MN.  She was preceded in transition by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Florence Alberts.

She was an active member of Grace Community Church of Eyota.  Helen and her husband participated in the Olmsted County Farm Bureau.  She took pride in gardening and liked to share her freshly picked strawberries. She entered many baking contests and often won prizes.  At the Olmsted County Fair, she frequently won blue ribbons for breads, rolls, and cookies, and was once the Grand Champion for her famous jelly roll.  Helen enjoyed her family, and especially family gatherings.

Helen's life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 11, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at the Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12 th St. SE, Rochester, with her son, Rev. Lynn Pries and Pastor Mark Young officiating.  A visitation will precede the funeral starting at 10 a.m. and a luncheon will follow the service.  Interment will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Eyota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Grace Community Church, PO Box 411, Eyota, MN 55934 or charity of your choice.