Helen M. Leidal, 91

Published 8:52 am Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Helen M. Leidal, 91, died peacefully Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at the Prairie Manor Care Center with her husband, Kermit, at her side.

Helen Leidal

Helen was born Jan. 5, 1919, in the Lanesboro area, to Severin (Sam) and Anna Hallum Watney. Following high school, Helen attended teacher’s college in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was licensed to teach in Iowa and Minnesota and taught country school in the Deer Creek area on the Iowa/Minnesota border.

Helen was married to Kermit E. Leidal on Nov. 7, 1943, at the Deer Creek Lutheran Church. They lived south of Oakland, where Helen helped Kermit establish and build the family farm.

She was an active member of the Trondhjem Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, was the Sunday School superintendent and involved with the church circles. After moving to the Austin area, they became members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Helen was a cancer survivor and a volunteer with the Austin Meals on Wheels program for 17 years.

She is survived by husband, Kermit E. Leidal; Heather Haus, Blooming Prairie; son, Mark L. Leidal, Dodge Center; daughter, Susan Goodnature, Austin; grandchildren: Kelly Goodnature, Mankato; Kerri Ellegard, Austin; Kristy Ellegard, Austin; Rory and Reina Ellegard, Chandler, Ariz. and K. C. Leidal, Rochester; four great-grandchildren: Karter, Kole, Ashley and Kaylee; brother and sister-in-law, Willard (Bill) and Lucille Watney, Northwood, Iowa; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: Kermit, Adrian and Myron (Mike) Watney.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Austin with the Reverend Glenn L. Monson officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Wednesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.