Ione Heldt

Funeral services for Evah Ione Heldt, age 88 of Eagle Bend, were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday at the Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend with Pastor Gerry Vuchetich of the Eagle Bend United Methodist Church presiding. Ione died at Lakewood Health System's Hospital in Staples, Minnesota, on Sunday, February 27, 2011 of congestive heart failure. Born September 3rd, 1922, in Eagle Bend, Minnesota to Lloyd and Bonnie Engebretson, Ione graduated valedictorian from Eagle Bend High School in 1940 and then attended business college in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She lived and worked in Minneapolis before returning to Eagle Bend after World War II. On June 16, 1946, she married Linden Emil Heldt at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Bend. They were blessed with two sons, Gerry and Gregg. Ione worked at the Eagle Bend Produce and E. C. Clementson Insurance as a secretary. In 1964, she and Linden took ownership of her parents business and continued to operate Engebretson Motor Company of Eagle Bend for the next thirty-six years. She was very involved in her community, church, VFW Auxiliary, Study Club, Birthday Club and Red Hats. She enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, reading, writing, performing in humorous skits, painting pictures, crafts and watching her beloved Minnesota Twins on television. Ione is survived by her sons, Gerry of Keller, Texas and Gregg (Virginia) of Eagle Bend; eight grandchildren, Cinnamon (Glen) Lancaster, Jason (Sara) Rice, Damon (Jennifer) Rice, Benjamin Heldt, Amber (Eric) Rinio, Sara Heldt, Linden (Julianne) Heldt and Christopher Heldt; nine great-grandchildren; brother Glenn (Joy) Engebretson; and sister Devona Cooke. Ione was preceded in death by her parents, husband Linden, sister Joyce Moe and daughter-in-law Gail Heldt. Honorary pallbearers were her great-grandchildren Katelyn Lancaster, Devin Lancaster, Kristin Lancaster, Logan Lancaster, Julian Rice, Natasha Rice, Milo Rinio, Celia Rinio and Andre Bankey. Pallbearers were her grandchildren Sara Heldt, Linden Heldt, Christopher Heldt, Cinnamon Lancaster, Jason Rice, Damon Rice, Benjamin Heldt and Amber Rinio. Interment will be in the Hope Cemetery at a later date.

Ione Heldt

September 3, 1922 - February 27, 2011