Helen F. Greenberg

Obituary

Helen Florence Greenberg was a Minnesota girl. She was born, lived several places and died in Minnesota.

Helen was born September 3, 1932, on the farm located 3 miles west of Sleepy Eye in Prairieville Township, Brown County, to August Julius Johnson and Florence Viola (Prosch) Johnson. She was baptized as an infant on December 2, 1932, and later confirmed in her faith on April 14, 1946, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Evan. Helen attended a rural school and then Sleepy Eye High School.

Helen married Kenneth Russell Greenberg on September 15, 1949, in the living room of her parents’ Brown County farm home. They had three daughters and resided in the Minnesota River Valley near Franklin. In 1967, the family moved to a farm east of Litchfield. She was an avid farmer and gardener. In 1982, Helen and Ken moved to their dream home - a fixer-upper on Battle Lake. They enjoyed their lake home for a little over a year before Ken passed away on May 9, 1984. Helen met Jake Pionk, about 10 years later and in 2005 they moved to Underwood where they built a lovely home by a small lake. In 2018, Helen moved to Brownton to live closer to her daughter, Lori. In 2022, she moved to Lakeside Generation Assisted Living, in Dassel, where she continued to make more friends. Her happy, generous and fun disposition had drawn people to her all her life. Ken’s nickname for his wife was “Happy!”

Helen most enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and with her dear friends and painting buddies. Her joys included crocheting, growing flowers, finding deals at auctions, garage sales and flea markets. She enjoyed time with her neighbors, many of whom were in her Homemakers Club when she was first married, and their friendships continued throughout their lives. When they moved to Litchfield, Helen and Ken enjoyed membership of Green Mountaineers Black Powder club. After Ken died, she discovered she loved painting landscapes, decoys, Santas, and canvases. She worked in a group called Painters Pride; each member enjoyed this same passion and fellowship, and they sold their decoys in the Battle Lake Mall and at craft shows.

Helen passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Lakeside Generations in Dassel, at the age of 91 years. Blessed be her memory.

Helen is survived by her:
Children, Carol Lynn (David) Julius of Reedsburg, WI,
Barbara Helen (David) Brand of Glencoe, MN;
Son-in-Law, Barry “Bird” Glieden of Brownton, MN;
Grandchildren, Chad David (Michelle) Julius of Woodbury, MN,
Jason Daniel (Julie) Julius of New Lisbon, WI,
Brian Nathaniel (Disa) Julius of Minot, ND,
Travis Andrew (Jackie) Julius of Cottage Grove, WI,
Teri Lynn (David) Havelka of Savage, MN,
Scott Christopher Ewald Jr. of Brownton, MN,
Barbara Helen Setterquist of Belle Plaine, MN,
Aliesha Rae Mathews of Brownton, MN,
Tyler Marten Philip (Amber) Glieden of Carver, MN;
Great Grandchildren, Nathan David Julius,
Anna Marie Julius,
Blake Daniel (Emma) Julius,
Trent Randal Julius,
Dayne Orlin Julius,
Alex Thomas Julius,
Samuel Robert Julius,
Hailee Sue Marie Salander,
Brandon Havelka,
Michael Havelka,
Bodee Nelson Ewald,
Brooklyn Lee Ewald,
Brianna Lynn (Jonny Bednar) Fairbanks,
Braydon Fairbanks,
Bella Rose Setterquist,
Bryce Timothy Setterquist,
Parker Michael Glieden,
Aleyna Jane Glieden,
Bristelle Rae Mathews;
Great Great Grandchildren, Kaiser Blaze Bednar,
Evelina Storm Bednar;
many other relatives and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her Parents, August Julius and Florence Viola (Prosch) Johnson; Spouse, Kenneth Russell Greenberg; Daughter, Lori Jean Glieden; Sister, Alice Mae (Johnson) Fischer and her husband Thomas Fischer; Brothers: Lennis Duane Johnson, Lloyd Sylvester Johnson, Robert William Johnson, Floyd Julius Johnson.