Helen May Wasserburger

Helen May (Wahlberg) Wasserburger was born on December 31, 1926, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Gustav Emanuel Wahlberg and Charlotte Christina Lindstrom. Helen breathed the last moments of the summer solstice and left this earth on June 22, 2022, for her new home with God as Jesus gently took her hand and asked her to walk with Him. She is His child and they are best friends. Her simple faith in His love is exemplified in her life of sacrificial love for others. Her joy is music in our ears and hearts and her prayers are quiet whispers of hope. She is ebullient and has danced her way to heaven. Helen is with God forever.

Helen (Hug) is the fifth of six children growing up in West Duluth on Grand Avenue. Her brothers and sisters are her cohorts and pals, and her mother Lottie is her foundation. Her humble Swedish upbringing formed her soul. Her caretaker spirit is a direct result of her mother’s love and continual sacrifice. She is a nurse in her marrow. A proud graduate of Denfield High School, and St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Duluth, she breathes educational diligence, impeccable grammar, balanced by humor and wit. The depth of her faith was bred in hardship and the reality expressed by doing what needs to be done.

Helen met the love of her life Richard Herman Wasserburger, born and raised in Minocqua, Wisconsin, while a nursing student at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. She noticed him first and told people that she was going to marry him. He noticed her and asked her out, but his first request was denied. Shortly after their romance began and their love for each other flourished. Helen and Richard were storybook married. A honeymoon in Germany and the rest of the story unfolded.

“I cut pork chops at the Fagan brothers grocery, then at 17 years old to the peanut factory, that was the luck of my life - the nurse asked me to be in the next class, blonde hair, blue eyes, saw how eager I was to be a nurse - I could have worked in a bar, God was good to me, because I believed you pray and you find your way and it finds you - then I found your father.”

Helen’s family describes her with the following words:
Helen is…..
Perseverance, resilience, angel on earth, advocate, unconditional love, honesty, integrity, , respect, moral compass, spiritual guide, incredible sense of humor, loving spirit, consistent, unwavering, a calm non-judgmental voice of reason and shelter in the storm, doors-heart and arms always open, world class hockey goalie, tender yet tough – tough yet tender, formidable strength, heart filled with joy, could create something from nothing, classy, unwavering love, every one’s mom, loving, forgiving, grateful, a standard on how to raise children, a shining light, singing prayers, nourished faith for all, superb lovie, protector, capable, clever, proud, creative, artistic, nostalgic, devoted, smart, classy, thrifty, wise, checkered apron, traffic control, superb, long Swedish legs, resourceful, empathetic, grammarian, pure, dignified, dancer, singer, confidant, teacher, comedian, eloquent, elegant, best friend.



Helen is survived by her daughters Margie (McDowell), Lori (Lynus Brown), Heidi; sons Dick (Jackie), Jon (Sue), Kim Neal, and Margie’s son Hanz (Nina). She has eight grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren 2 great-great grandchildren, and a myriad of nieces and nephews.

Helen loves her precious dog Hannah May. She affectionately called her “My baby”-“Hannah Banana.”

A special thank you to Kim Pugh for holding her close as she passed and all of her caregivers who genuinely cared and loved her. And thank you to the PALS and staff of Belmont Village, West Lake Hills, Texas.

Helen was preceded in death by her father Gustav Emanuel Wahlberg, her mother Charlotte Christina Lindstrom Wahlberg, her husband of 41 years Richard Herman Wasserburger, her husband of 17 years John H. Juhl, her brother Richard Wahlberg, her sisters Clerry (Halvorson), Lucille (Swanson), Charlotte Caroline (Caywood) and Eleanor (Rolland).

A Swedish Prayer
Gud, som haver barnen kär
God loves the little children

se till mig, som liten är.
Watch over me who is small

Vart jag mig i världen vänder,
Wherever I go in the world

står min lycka i Guds händer.
My happiness is in God’s hands

Lyckan kommer, lyckan går.
Happiness comes, happiness goes

Den gud älskar lyckan får.
Whoever loves God finds happiness


Halsa Dem Dar Hemma
Greet my family at home
Helen’s Swedish Song of Choice from Her Mother

Hur Mar Du Idag
How are you today?
Helen’s Swedish Greeting of Choice from Her Mother

“In The Garden”
Helen’s Hymn of Choice

John 11 : 25
“I am the resurrection and the life;
He who believes in Me shall live
Even if He dies”

Funeral Services for Helen will be held on Sunday, August 7th at 12:00 Noon at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI followed by burial at Evergreen Cemetery with a picnic to follow at Nimsgern Funeral Home.

Please RSVP at Evite link at http://evite.me/DHyQJryFxk as soon as possible to estimate how many family and friends plan on attending. Casual elegant attire requested.

Memorial funds in Helen’s name will be designated to: Ronald Mc Donald House (Marshfield), St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and Save The Children.

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.