The Daily Dispatch

Helen M. Zarling, 92, Breckenridge, Minn., died April 8, 2009, at St. Catherine’s Living Center, Wahpeton, N.D.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 27 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Breckenridge, with the Rev. Richard Benson and the Rev. Ken Popp concelebrating the Mass.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, April 26 with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 5:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Dick Conzemius, Ed Casey, Jim Boll, Norm Goerdt, Jerry Holzbauer, Roger Abel, Steve Vertin and Seth Klostreich.

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Breckenridge.

Helen Madeline Zarling was born April 9, 1916, in Mazenod, Saskatchewan, Canada, the daughter of Richard and Lillian (Weyer) Zarling. At the age of 3, her family moved to Breckenridge, where Helen grew up. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1934, and furthered her education taking business courses at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. Helen then began working for Triple A Program and later worked as a secretary to the Wilkin County agricultural agent. In 1942, Helen began working for the Farmers and Merchants State Bank (now Bremer Bank) in Breckenridge, as a bookkeeper/teller. She retired as vice president/operations in 1981.

Helen was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, Christian Mothers, St. Mary’s Guild, St. Martin Mission Circle, the National Association of Bank Women, Quilters Guild and the Dollars for Scholars Bridge Group. In the past she has served on the Board of Directors for St. Francis Nursing Home, Riveredge Hospice, the Richland/Wilkin United Way and St. Mary’s Parish Council. She was also a charter member of the Zonta International Club of Breckenridge/Wahpeton, and was a 4-H Leader and a Boy Scout Den Mother.

Helen enjoyed playing Bridge, attaining “Life Master” of the American Contract Bridge League. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting, and was drum major for the prize winning American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp. She was an avid golfer for many years and later enjoyed following the PGA Tour on TV. Helen was also an ardent Minnesota Twins baseball fan and faithfully watched every game on TV. After retirement she kept the books for St. Mary’s Church for 15 years, a volunteer job she very much enjoyed.

Helen is survived by: her 11 nieces and nephews, Betty Zarling, Charles Gift, Margaret “Dolly” Dalbey, Thomas Gift (Godchild), Ruth Pearson, Donna Cunningham, George Hillman II, Julie Bracken, Fr. Richard Benson, Randy Benson, and Kathleen Rayburn; her 39 great-nieces and nephews, among them, four godchildren, Karen Booker, Jeff Zarling, Ryan Benson and Jeff Rayburn; numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by: her parents, Richard and Lillian Zarling; her five brothers, Linus Hillman, George Hillman, Charles Hillman, Richard “Augie” Zarling, Anthony Zarling; her five sisters, Ruth Booker, Lillian Gift, Margaret Stanton, Luella Zarling, Catherine Benson; her three nephews, Bobby Hillman, Robert Benson III and Richard Booker.

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