Helmi Irene Becker

Helmi Irene Becker, age 92, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids, MN, with her family by her side.

Helmi Lehtinen was born on April 6, 1932, in Brocket, ND, the daughter of the late Jalmer and Hilda (Rekola) Lehtinen. She was raised in Brocket ND and graduated from Brocket High School in 1950. On June 28, 1953, she was married to Harold Becker at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN. They made their home outside of Park Rapids. As a young couple they would farm spring through fall and then travel to California where they would work at the production plants for the Douglass and North American Aircraft Companies. They then farmed for many years southwest of Park Rapids where they raised crops, pigs, and cattle. When they retired, they moved to Long Lake to a home built and designed by their son Terry and for over 20 years enjoyed wintering in Mesa, AZ. They also traveled extensively throughout the continental US, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Europe, and Panama.

Helmi was proud of her Finnish heritage and could speak Finn. In 1984, Helmi and her sisters travelled to Finland to meet their Finnish relatives. She traveled to Finland again in 2017 with daughter Lori and granddaughter Katie to introduce them to their many Finnish relatives. While in Finland they visited Hilda’s birthplace.

Helmi was an amazing seamstress and artist, handcrafting many blankets, ornaments, and other crafts that are cherished by her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening and was active in her children’s 4H club. She was a member of the Happy Hour Homemaker Club and Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids. In 2019 Helmi moved to Crystal Senior Living in Park Rapids. In 2021 she transitioned to the memory care unit. We are forever grateful for such a caring team at Crystal Brook, who helped her live with grace and dignity even while dealing with the terrible disease of dementia. 

Helmi is survived by her 6 sons, Tim, Troy (April), Terry (Grace), Tracy (Debbie), Tod (Renee), and Tom (Laura) Becker; daughter, Lori (Mark) Vatnsdal; 8 grandsons; 9 granddaughters; 14 great-grandsons; and 2 great-granddaughters; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and was the last of 11 children.

Memorial service for Helmi will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN, with a time for visitation one hour before. Inurnment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN.

Online Guestbook: www.jonespearson.com

Arrangements entrusted to Jones Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.