Helen M Hanegraaf

Helen M. Hanegraaf June 2, 1927 - December 9, 2013

Helen M. Hanegraaf, age 86 of Faribault, died Monday, December 9, 2013 at the St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault following an extended illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, in Faribault. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to services.

Helen Marie Reuvers, the daughter of Peter and Joanne (Langeslag) Reuvers, was born on June 2, 1927 in Faribault, MN. She attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1945. On April 19, 1949 she was united in marriage to Thomas Hanegraaf. They were married for 37 years. Helen was a very strong, independent, and hard-working woman, who always thought of others before herself. She raised 14 children and always had a job outside of the home. The only time she slept was when she was "rocking a baby." Helen was involved in 4-H, Garden Club, Extension Homemakers Club, and the Daughters of Isabella. She was an active volunteer at Divine Mercy Catholic Church and also volunteered at the Senior Center, Clothes Closet and for Meals on Wheels. The legacy she leaves behind is to "be wise with your money" and "there is no time to feel sorry for yourself, it could always be worse."

Helen is survived by her 14 children, Thomas Jr. (Rita) Hanegraaf of Rose Creek, MN, Pamela St. Martin of Faribault, Patricia LaCanne of Faribault, Peggy (Dick) Vail of Faribault, Don Hanegraaf of Morristown, Charles (Barb) Hanegraaf of Faribault, Diane (Mike) Pemrick of Faribault, John Hanegraaf of Faribault, Joseph (Debra) Hanegraaf of Faribault, Edward Hanegraaf of Faribault, Peter (Brenda) Hanegraaf of Apple Valley, MN, Paula (Glen) Sappington of Apple Valley, MN, Scott (Connie) Hanegraaf of Faribault and Randy (Lori) Hanegraaf of Burnsville, MN; by 39 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren; by two sisters, Pat (Dick) Neuman of Rochester, MN and Lois (Gordy)

Butterfield of West Concord, MN; by four sisters-in-law, Arlene Reuvers, Gloria Reuvers and Geri Ableman of Faribault and Sandy Reuvers of North Dakota and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Marion Bokman and Betty Reuvers, by three brothers, Robert, Richard and Ronald Reuvers and by the father of her children, Thomas Hanegraaf Sr.