Helen Marie (Schlichter) Hovland, 89, passed away peacefully at Adams Health Care Center on Dec. 9, 2012, surrounded by her family.

Helen was born in Hillsboro, N.D., to Carlena and William Schlichter and attended school in Hastings, Minn. Most of her life was spent in Austin. She worked at Hormel Foods for 10 years. She married Orlo Hovland in 1950 and they had three children: Gail (Greg Wires), Stillwater, Minn.; Jill Hovland, Willmar, Minn.; and Jack (Annette Matjucha), Muscatine, Iowa. Her grandchildren are Allison (Wires) Matthies (Jake), Natalie Wires, Kerstin Hovland, Nils Hovland and great-granddaughter, Kennedy Matthies.

Helen was a devoted wife for 60 years and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Over the years, Helen volunteered at St. Edward’s Catholic Church and School. Throughout her life she enjoyed singing in church choir, bowling, dancing with Orlo at the Terp Ballroom, baking pies, shopping for family, playing bridge, family trips and spending time with family and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband Orlo; brothers Urbin, Norbert, Ansgar, William Jr., Theodore and Paul; and sisters Beatrice Baxter, Genevieve Nygren, Angeline Hageman and Frances Wofford.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Helen is survived by her sister Gertrude Hannam, West Bend, Wis.; brother Vincent, Phoenix, Ariz.; several loving sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and numerous nephews and nieces.

The family wants to thank the entire staff at Adams Health Care Center.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church. There will be a private interment. Friends are invited to join family at a luncheon following the service. Memorials are preferred to daughter Jill’s resident group home. Checks can be made to: Jill Hovland, MSOCS 208 Terrace Drive, Willmar, MN 56201.