Helen Bernice (Papke) Swenstad of Sleepy Eye, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, MN. Visitation will be at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye, MN on Wednesday from 3 to 7 PM and at church on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 10:30 AM The Clergy will be Pastor Keith R. Ainsley Interment Home Cemetery, 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 was born on October 30, 1933 in Winthrop, MN to Frebert & Florence
(Olson) Papke. Helen grew up and attended school in Winthrop. Helen was a loyal twins fan and was able to attend several games at the new stadium. She was known for her banana bread she loved to bake and give away. she enjoyed listening to gospel and country music and sang her heart out no matter where she was or who was around. She was a bingo fanatic and how she kept track of all those cards we will never know. She loved writing and receiving cards and letters. Most of all Helen was all about her family and spending time with them meant so much to her. She didn't have much but would give her last dollar to someone in need.
She is survived by her sons, Danny (Debi) Hemming, Donan (Cheryl) Hemming, all of Sleepy Eye, Scott Swenstad of New Ulm, grandchildren, Jayme, Angel, John, Kari, Alayna and Troy, great-grandchildren, Brady, Lexi, Cloe, Xander, Cole, Madisyn and Layla, brother, Frank (Sharon) Papke of Glencoe, brother-in-law, Harold Klement of Gibbon, sister-in-law, Pearl Papke of Clarksville, TN, nieces and nephews, Tommy, Alan, Jeff, Eric and Theresa and special friends, Milan Yngsdal and Lorraine Roiger. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harlan Swenstad, sister, Gloria Klement and brother, Fredrick. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.