Helen Wasson

Helen Frances Wasson of Alexandria died on Friday, August 29, 2008, at Knute Nelson. She was 93. Born September 26, 1914, in Kenyon, MN, Helen grew up in Wilmar with an older sister and younger brother. She played basketball and tennis in high school and was graduated as the salutatorian of her class in 1931. As a junior at the University of Minnesota, Helen was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was graduated the following year, 1935, with a degree in English. A member of Sigma Epsilon Sigma and president of Mortarboard, she was also one of 12 students selected as a Representative 'Minnesotan, an honor achieved through service and scholarship. Following graduation, Helen traveled to Europe to attend the 1936 Olympics. She taught English in Rushford, MN, for two years prior to her marriage. Helen met Loren F. "Bill" Wasson while both were students at the University, and they were married in 1937. They lived in Chisago City and Osakis before settling in Alexandria where Bill joined Drs. Clifford, Stemsrud and Carlson as founding members of the Alexandria Clinic. Helen and Bill raised four children, and after Bill retired from medical practice, he and Helen moved to Sun City West, AZ. They returned each summer to their cabin on Lake Darling. Helen loved the lake and the out-of-doors, spending much of her time gardening, playing golf, and swimming. Helen was a member of the First Congregational (UCC) Church where she served as a youth instructor and as a church librarian. For over ten years, she also served on the board of trustees of the Alexandria Public Library. She was a member of Women's Club for over 30 years and of P.E.O. for 50 years and was a past president of both organizations. She also was a past president of the Ladies' Golf Association at the Alexandria Golf Club and played golf until well into her eighties. Helen loved to read and to participate in Great Books discussions. She also enjoyed bridge, Scrabble and crossword puzzles, particularly the Saturday Review Literary Magazine acrosstic. Among her other activities was the Life Begins at Forty Club which was featured in the Echo Press in 2004 with a photograph of four of the five members who had reached the age of 90. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Dr. L.F. "Bill" Wasson; her parents, George and Julia Brohaugh; and her sister, Hildred (Marshall) Minich. She is survived by her four children, Jeanne Bowers, Richard (Sandy Lange) Wasson. Kay (Randy) Sukovich; and Julie (Steve) Waller; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; nine nieces and nephews; and her brother, Richard (Ruth) Brohaugh of Seattle, WA. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 6, at 10:30 AM at First Congregational (UCC) Church in Alexandria. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Knute Nelson, the Douglas County Health Services Hospice Program, or the American Cancer Society.