Helen Knotts, 89, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Our House Memory Care in Austin.

Helen Wallace was born Nov. 7, 1925, in Ely, Minnesota, to Richard and Rose (Hodge) Wallace. She grew up in the Hibbing and Grand Rapids area of northern Minnesota, graduating from Grand Rapids High School in 1944. Following high school, she graduated from Beauty School in Duluth, Minnesota. Helen moved to Austin in 1946 and married Galen C. Knotts on June 8 of that year in Hayward, Minnesota. They were married for 50 years until Galen passed away in October of 1996. A longtime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Helen was a homemaker raising four children. She was an excellent cook and her house was frequently filled with large gatherings of friends and family enjoying one of her special meals and joining in the fun and laughter that came with them. She also worked in her home as a beautician for many years. Helen enjoyed making trips to visit her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her daughter Sandra (Michael) Callahan of Commerce Township, Michigan; sons: Galen (Linda) Knotts of Bemidji, Minnesota, Gary (Peggy) Knotts of Fargo, North Dakota, and Gregg (Peggy) Knotts of Rochester, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Mike, Brian, Ryan, Brandon and Josh Knotts, Stacy Burt and Wade Callahan; five great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Simon “Pete” (Kathy) Hancock of Mapleview, Minnesota; sister-in-law Sue Brown of Mason City, Iowa; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Rose Wallace; her husband Galen Knotts; her brothers: Richard, Ray, Joe and Robert Wallace; and her sister Petranella Herranen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Gerald Giese officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.