Helen McIntire

Helen Bertha (Meinhardt) McIntire was born March 3, 1918, to William and Laura Meinhardt in Bartlett Township, Todd County, MN. She was the second of five children born to them. She departed this life on June 23, 2010, at the age of 92. Helen was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township. She attended school at District 42 country school and one year of high school in Bertha. She was married on March 5, 1936, to the love of her life, Howard McIntire. Seven children were born to Howard and Helen. Helen was predominantly a homemaker, mother, and grandmother throughout her life, but some may remember her working at the Woolworth’s store in Wadena from 1963 to 1976, when it closed. Helen and Howard moved their family many times in the Bertha and Hewitt area before settling on Third Street SE in Wadena in 1952. Helen was active in Ladies Aid, Circle, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and other church activities. She loved to play cards and games, loved sewing, embroidery, cross-stitch, watching baseball, and growing flowers. She enjoyed feeding the birds, spoiling dogs, and solving puzzles. After Howard’s retirement, they enjoyed several winters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Since Howard’s passing, Helen continued to live in Wadena until moving to the Elder’s Home in New York Mills in September of 2008. Helen is survived by her son Dennis (Peggy) of Ottertail; daughters Phyllis Nesset of Wadena, Peggy (Jim) Janzen of Delano, Linda Senechal of Bloomington, and Debra McIntire (Steve King) of Heidelberg, Germany; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Della Pundt of Manistee, MI, Lillian (Elmer) Henke of Wadena; brothers Ben (Donna) Meinhardt of Hopkins, and Don (Ione) Meinhardt of Brooklyn Center. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard in 1990; daughter Audrey Wiederich in 2004; son-in-law Earl Wiederich in 1990; and an infant daughter in 1938. Funeral services will be held on June 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena, with Pastor Stephen Meltzer officiating. Pallbearers will be all of Helen’s grandchildren. Interment will be in the Wadena Cemetery.

Helen McIntire

March 3, 1918 - June 23, 2010