Helen Marie Mayer

Obituary

Helen Marie Mayer was born on January 3, 1928, in Glencoe, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Raymond and Myrtle (Roen) Mayer. Helen was baptized and confirmed at St. George Catholic Church in Glencoe. She graduated from Glencoe High School in 1945. She continued her education at St. Cloud State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Helen later earned her Master’s Degree at the University of Minnesota and completed an additional 60 credits toward her Doctorate. She chose to travel the world during her summer breaks (China, Russia, South America, Europe, Greece, and Scandinavia) instead of writing her doctoral dissertation. 

Helen spent many happy years at her home in Richfield. She enjoyed her neighbors and treasured her time with her dogs in that home. She was a teacher for several years in Glenwood, Minnesota, and spent the remainder of her career teaching for the Richfield Public Schools, retiring in 1985. She had a lot of success and fulfillment during her many years of teaching art.

Helen was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Richfield and became a member of the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe when she moved back to the area. She was also a member of the Association of American University Women and the Minnesota Historical Society.

Throughout her life, Helen enjoyed playing golf, tennis, handball, racquetball, biking, and walking. She loved nature, especially watching the birds at her multiple feeders. She was an avid flower gardener. She was a gifted artist and found most joy in working with fabric. As a self-proclaimed fabric artist, she made her own clothes, dresses, and doll clothes for her nieces and great-nieces, and quilted wall hangings. In her retirement years, she made many quilts for family members all meticulously done by hand while watching the Twins, Timberwolves, or any other sporting event she could find on TV. She was a season ticket holder for the Minnesota Orchestra, the Guthrie Theatre, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Minnesota Gophers. She loved attending these outings with her many dear friends. Helen generously supported a multitude of charitable organizations. She never had children of her own, but she loved her nieces and nephews dearly.

When she needed assistance with her care, Helen became a resident of Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe, and passed away there on Friday, January 26, 2024, at the age of 96 years. Blessed be her memory.

Helen is survived by her sister, Ginger Kocina and her husband, Frank; and nieces and nephews, Connie Mayer, Kathy  Lundin, Joan Karst, Barb Mayer, Paul Mayer, Susan Mielke, Dan Mayer, Patty Mayer, Steve Kocina, Lonny Kocina,  John Kocina, Linda Ratike, Sam Kocina, and Mary Kline, along with many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Myrtle Mayer, and brothers, Robert Mayer and James Mayer.