Helen Dorothy Hollingsworth

Helen Dorothy Hollingsworth
October 6, 1931 • February 15, 2024

Helen D. Hollingsworth passed away Feb. 15, 2024 at the age of 92 at the Swift County Benson Hospital surrounded by family.
There will be a celebration of life June 29, 2024 at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Benson at 10:30 a.m. A visitation will be held from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. before the service.
Helen Dorothy Hollingsworth was born October 6, 1931 to Otto M. and Dorothy K. (Mikkelsen) Have in Redwood County near Milroy, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Milroy. She attended Tracy Public School  for nine years and graduated from Milroy High School in 1949.
October 12, 1949, Helen was united in marriage to Vernon Hollingsworth at the Holly Methodist church near Walnut Grove, Minnesota by Gerald Morgan. She joined the Holly Methodist Church in 1950 and was a Sunday school teacher and member of the ladies aid. Vernon and Helen became the parents of two sons; David and Thomas and a daughter Wendy. They farmed southeast of Tracy for 38 years. Helen was employed for 13 years as secretary to the guidance counselor at Tracy High School. When the Holly Methodist Church closed, they joined the Tracy Methodist Church where Helen was a member of the Women’s society and the Esther circle. She was a member of the Tracy American Legion auxiliary where she served as president and secretary. She was also a life member of the Benson VFW auxiliary, serving as trustee and as secretary.
In 1987, Vern and Helen bought a crop insurance agency and moved to Benson, Minnesota. Helen was an agent in the agency with Vern. They joined the Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC in 1988. Helen was secretary/treasurer of the Women’s fellowship, church financial secretary, a work unit chairman, president of the evening circle and served several terms on the board of diaconate. She was coordinator for nutrition on wheels for her church and also delivered meals. Helen was a senior companion for Lutheran Social Service, worked for Butch’s catering and was a member of the hospital auxiliary. She also cleaned the Ag Service Center for 18 years.
Helen loved to walk, cook, and knit but she was happiest when she could work around her house and yard. She also loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved her country music, especially music by Charlie Pride, Harry Belafonte and Jim Reeves.
Helen died February 15, 2024 at the age of 92 years, four months and nine days of natural causes.
She is survived by her children: David (Cindy) Hollingsworth of Kingman, AZ, Thomas (Jill) Hollingsworth of Benson and Wendy (Tim) Sigrist of White Bear Lake; grandchildren: Justin (Alicia) Hollingsworth of Kingman, AZ, Doctor Jed (Raychel) Hollingsworth of North Platte, NE, Shannon (Brian) Voges of Sioux Falls, SD, Jaime (John) Byers of Walnut Grove, Ashley (James Carlson) Maki of Isanti, Nicholas (Jackie) Sigrist of Princeton; step grandchildren: JJ Gladis, Jesse (Lori) Gladis, Jenilee (Josh) Davidson, Joshua (Jodie) Gladis; great grandchildren; Dillon Hollingsworth, Courtnee (Bobby Ziemke) Byers, Caitlynn (Josh) Mason, Keisha Westerman, Bransyn Maki, Liv and Vander Hollingsworth, Abi and Kyra Fillion; 14 step grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; Hadynn Jenniges, Skylar Ziemke, Ellaynna, Claire and Jane Mason; 1 step great great grandson; one niece Laurie (Bob) Kindler and one nephew Steve Daniels and former daughter in law Jeanette (Bruce) Lerohl.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Vern, February 5, 2013; her parents, Otto and Dorothy Have and brother Henry Have and her sister Olga Mae Daniels Hicks, her father in law and mother in law, Harley and Helen Hollingsworth.