Helen Middendorf

Helen M. Middendorf, age 97 of Freeport, died peacefully on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at the Mother of Mercy Assisted Living in Albany, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Nathanael Hauser, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church in Freeport. Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, and the Goldenaires Senior Citizens will pray at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 5 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Melrose.

Helen Marie Zwilling was born May 22, 1915 in Collegeville, Minnesota to Nickolas and Clara (Fruth) Zwilling. She was united in marriage to Herman Middendorf on October 13, 1936 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Collegeville.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, and the Goldenaires Senior Citizens.

Survivors include her children, Tom (Rita) Middendorf of Freeport, Richard (Dorothy) Middendorf of Melrose, Henry (Kathy) Middendorf of Melrose, Mark (Kathy) Middendorf of Freeport, Neil Middendorf of Freeport, Linda (Gary) Pierskalla of Freeport, Lola (Scott) Schlapkohl of Steamboat Springs, CO, Nita (Fran) O'Connell of Red Wing, Dan (Rosie) Middendorf of Verndale, and Inez (Neal) Jones of Paynesville; 38 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; sister, Therese Lambert of Avon; and sisters-in-law, Clara Michael of Freeport and Marie Zwilling of Avon.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Middendorf of March 7, 2003; parents; brothers and sisters, Math Zwilling, John Zwilling, Frances Steichen, Al Zwilling, Sister Berchman Zwilling, O.S.B., Joe Zwilling, Celestine "Sally" Zwilling, Sister Marie Zwilling, O.S.B., and Margaret Hoeschen; grandson, Karl Middendorf; and one great-granddaughter.

Serving as casket bearers will be Helen's grandsons. Cross bearer will be Jenny Minette and scripture bearer will be Jessica Schlapkohl.