Helene Alphild Splettstazer

Obituary

Helene Alphild (Brill) Splettstazer, was born to Frank and Alphild (Lund) Brill on October 4, 1923 and spent her early childhood in the Logging Camp they operated with her uncles Fred and Harold Brill at Happy Land near Littlefork, MN.  They moved the operation to another camp south of Superior and there she attended grade school and Junior High. Since no High School was in the area, she worked and boarded in Duluth where she graduated from Central High School, and then earned her beauty operator license.

She met Donald Splettstazer in Superior where he was working as a welder in the ship yards, and on March 11, 1944 and she and Donald were united in marriage at Christ Lutheran Church in Superior.  Pastor Ritz baptized and confirmed Helene on October 22, 1946 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. While Donald was serving in the military they lived in San Diego before making their home in Lester Prairie where together they owned and operated Lester Prairie Cement Products.  Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Carol and Mary. They shared 72 years of marriage.

Helene was active in the community and especially encouraged girls to be strong and confident. She and a friend formed the first Brownie Scout Troop in Lester Prairie. Bridge was an especially favorite game; she and Don played in a couples club and she also played in the long running ladies group. She loved the outdoors and the passing of the seasons, was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and enjoyed folk painting.  She was an excellent cook and kept a good supply of breads and cookies on hand. She, Don and close friends made maple syrup for years at the Sugar-shack in their back yard. She was a good friend and cherished the time spent with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was an active member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Helene passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at Glencoe Regional Health Services in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 92 years, 4 months and 12 days.

Blessed be her memory.

Helene is survived by her:

Husband, Donald Splettstazer of Lester Prairie, MN;
Daughters, Carol Kuhlman and her husband, Calvin, of Chaska, MN,
                     Mary Lawrence and her husband, Kevin, of Circle Pines, MN;
Grandchildren, Aaron Kuhlman and his wife, Stephanie, of Farmington, MN,
                             Rev. Nathan Kuhlman of Rolla, MO,
                             Elizabeth Carlson and her husband, Jacob, of Rogers, MN,
                            John Lawrence of Circle Pines, MN,
                            Ellen Lawrence of Minneapolis, MN;
Great Grandchildren, Adam Kuhlman, Ella Kuhlman, Seth Kuhlman, Owen Carlson, Wyatt Carlson, Trevor Carlson;
Siblings, William Brill of South Superior, WI,
                Jule Brill and his wife, Edina, of Eau Claire, WI;
Nieces and Nephews, Dixie Brill, Larry Brill , Linda Brill, Dennis Brill, Wayne Brill and  Shirley Aho;
And other relatives and many friends.

Helene is preceded in death by her Parents, Frank and Alphild Brill; Brother, Art Brill; Sister-In-Law, Virginia Brill; Nephew, Gary Brill; Great Grandson, Jason Kuhlman.