Helen Alma Louise (Petersen) Maher, 52, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Friday, June 10, 2011 at her home in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Visitation will be at the Sturm Funeral Home on Monday, June 13, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and will continue on Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye.

Service will be held at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM.

The Clergy will be Pastor Eric Libby.

Interment will be at Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, MN.

E-mail condolences may be sent to the family via www.sturmfh.com.

Helen Alma - Louise Maher, age 52 of Sleepy Eye died at her home surrounded by family on June 10, 2011 after nearly a three year battle with breast cancer. Helen was born on March 3, 1959 in Tracy, MN to Fred and Eileen (Martin) Petersen. She graduated from Tracy High School in 1977 and later received an Associate Degree from Mankato Technical College. Helen married Tom Maher on August 14, 1976. Helen was employed as the assistant deli manager at Cash Wise Foods in New Ulm for the last ten years. She was previously employed as the dietary manager at Sleepy Eye Care Center and store manager of Pamida in Sleepy Eye. Helen enjoyed cooking, gardening, camping, and traveling and spending time with family, friends, and her two canine companions, Tanner and Bo. Helen welcomed the birth of her first grandchild Camryn last year and was looking forward to the births of two more grandchildren later this year. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye.

She is survived by her husband - Tom; sons - Jason (Sandy) Maher of St. James, Ryan (Ashley) Maher of New Ulm; a daughter - Nicole (special friend Riley Braulick) of Sleepy Eye; a granddaughter - Camryn; step father - William Habben of Tracy; sisters - Becky (Rick) Schreier of Eden Prairie, Sherlyn (Dave) Doyle of Cummings, ND; brother-in-laws - Bill (special friend
Lucille) Maher of Currie and Mike (Karen) Maher of Marshall; sisters-in-law - Pat Widboom of Burnsville and Mary (Dave) Boulton of Marshall; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Helen was preceded in death by her parents - Fred and Eileen Petersen; infant brother - Maynard; a younger sister - Linda; parents-in-law - Tilda and Fabian Maher; and her grandparents.