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Gilma F. Helgeland, 90

Apr 28, 2008

Bricelyn — Gilma F. Helgeland, age 90, of Bricelyn, died April 18, 2008 at her home in Bricelyn, surrounded by her family. Funeral services were held April 23, 2008 at the Bricelyn Lutheran Church in Bricelyn. Burial was in the Bricelyn Lutheran Cemetery, Seely Township, Faribault County. Pastors Patricia Hinkie and Edward Nieman officiated.

Bruss-Heitner Funeral Homes was in charge of arrangements.

Gilma Francis Hylland was born to Nels and Grace (Schieffelbein) Hylland, Dec. 1, 1917, on her grandparents farm near Scarville, Iowa. Gilma was baptized at North Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Scarville on Jan. 1, 1918. Gilma affirmed her faith June 26, 1932 at Center Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, Iowa. Gilma was raised on a farm south of Scarville. She attended country grade school and graduated from Lake Mills High School, and then taught country school in the Lake Mills school district for two years.

Gilma married Oscar Skogen; to this marriage three children were born. They lived in California where Gilma worked in the San Francisco ship yards as a welder during World War 2. Following a divorce, Gilma returned to the Midwest and taught country school in the Bricelyn area. She married Norman Helgeland Jan. 25, 1947 in Scarville; to this marriage two children were born. Norman and Gilma lived on a farm near Bricelyn where Gilma gardened, sewed, baked, canned, and made delicious meals. Gilma loved to entertain and the house often smelled of fresh baked goods. Norman and Gilma enjoyed many fishing trips during their marriage.

An excellent card player, Gilma was in many card clubs and often won local tournaments. She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and reading books. Gilma did lots of needlework; she crocheted beautiful tablecloths, afghans, and baby blankets and made quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Gilma was active in the Bricelyn Lutheran Church. She and Tilli Aamodt started the Willing Workers, and she was active in Dorcas sewing group, taught Sunday school, led circle Bible studies, and helped serve food for many occasions. Norma and Gilma moved into Bricelyn in October, 1991. Norman died July 21, 1999.

Gilma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters: Andrina Oulman and Alma Hylland, five brothers: Gerhard, Raymond, Henry, Laurence, and Paul Hylland.

Gilma is survived by two sons: Robert Skogen of Two Harbors, Dale (Sue) Helgeland of Leland, Iowa, three daughters: JoAnn (David) Moran of Richfield, Orean (Larry) Yahnke of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Nancy (Neal) Solomonson of Ostrander; seventeen grandchildren, and twenty-six great-grandchildren. Also five sisters-in-law: Esther Hovland of Blue Earth, Agnes Lodden of Humboldt, Iowa, Vivian (Cy) Olson of Albert Lea, Elna Hylland of Lake Mills, and Ruth Hylland of Scarville.