Obituary of Helen H. Jasperson

Helen H. Jasperson, 96, died Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids. She was surrounded by her family. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 25th at the United Methodist Church in Port Edwards. Rev. David Guse will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 24th at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home. There will be a luncheon and time of fellowship immediately following the service on Friday at the cranberry marsh. Helen Louise Hernlem was born on September 15, 1917 to Arthur F. and Mabel (Graham) Hernlem in Red Wing, Minnesota. Helen graduated from Red Wing High School in 1935. She was named All-Star Student at a meeting of the National Honor Society and faculty advisors, being voted the outstanding member of the class on merit of scholarship, character, and leadership. When Helen was a young girl and her brother was a Boy Scout, she learned everything he learned, even the Boy Scout promise and laws, and considered herself a Boy Scout. She thought the program was great and liked the fact that they were active outdoors. When the first Girl Scout troop was started in Red Wing, she was first in line to join. Helen became the first Golden Eaglet, the highest rank in Girl Scouting at the time. Helen later attended the University of Wisconsin. She majored in home economics and became a member of the Psi Omicron Nu Honor Society. She also belonged to the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. While at the university, she met the young man that one day would become her husband. The couple was blessed with over 74 loving years of marriage. Upon her marriage to Newell Jasperson on January 25, 1940, Helen became part of a third generation family cranberry marsh, Whittlesey Cranberry, which was founded in 1871. She and Newell had a true partnership in the marsh. Being a nature enthusiast, Helen was the soul and spark of the marsh. Her devotion to flowers was evident in the gardens around her home. Her love for nature led her to discover Power's Bluff Park which was a very special place for her to investigate every spring. Helen was an outdoor person and loved every aspect of nature- wildflowers, birds, ferns, trees, and especially the sky at night. She enjoyed sharing her passion for nature with others. Helen had a "life that couldn't be beat" and truly enjoyed every day of it. She learned to golf during her teen years and was women's champion of the Red Wing Country Club in 1937 and a longtime member of Bull's Eye Country Club in Wisconsin Rapids. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1941, and a charter member of the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary in 1954. For many years, Helen was a member of the Yard and Garden Club and the Cranmoor Garden Club. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Port Edwards where she was active in Women's Society, and served as Sunday school teacher, a trustee, a finance committee member, and was on the building committee for the church's educational wing. Helen and Newell were charter members of the Tri-City Curling Club in 1957 and curled for many years. In their later years they enjoyed spending winters in Panama City Beach, Florida. Helen is survived by her husband of 74 years, Newell Jasperson and children: Stephen (Ann) Jasperson; William Jasperson; and Jo Ann (Guy) Detlefsen; grandchildren: Amy (Mike) Emsley; Laurie (Steven) Kovalik; Robert (Lisl) Detlefsen; and Kristen (Paul) Henslin; great-grandchildren: Tyler and Kate Kovalik; Jasper and Wesley Detlefsen; and Natalie and Brycen Henslin; nieces: Karen (Rich) Meier; Judy Lawrence; Mary Jane (Roger) Kimmes; Patricia (Bill) Schroeder; Janet Tomhave; and Peggy (Mike) NcNabb. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Art and Marion Hernlem, and daughter-in-law Kathleen Jasperson. The family would like to thank the staff at The Renaissance, the doctors and staff at Riverview Hospital and the Nekoosa Family Clinic for their excellent care. Memorials may be designated to the South Wood County YMCA or to the Girl Scouts of the Greater Wisconsin Rapids Area.