Helen Taylor

Helen V. Taylor, age 86, of Detroit Lakes, died Friday, November 2, 2007 surrounded by her family, at St. Mary's Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes, MN. The Memorial Service will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 6, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes.



Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.



Helen Victoria Taylor was born May 21, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN to Edwin and Hedvig (Engstrom) Peterson. She grew up and attended school in Minneapolis. In December of 1944, Helen married Howard (Bus) Taylor after he returned to the United States from Europe where he had been a pilot in the United States Army. Helen enjoyed gardening, baking, hosting neighborhood gatherings, and spoiling her two children. Her Christmas fruitcakes were in demand by people all over the country. Helen was very active in the Campfire Girls, PTA and Church Activities. In August of 1969, Shunichi Akazawa, from Kyoto, Japan, lived with Helen and her family as an exchange student. From then on, Helen referred to Shunichi as her adopted Japanese son. Helen had maintained ties with Shunichi and his family ever since.



From 1969 to 1991, Helen was employed at the three junior high schools in the Bloomington School District, as a paraprofessional. The kids in school affectionately called Helen, "Ma Taylor". Helen was an ardent school sports fan, and particularly enjoyed wrestling, baseball and football. During her years working at the junior high schools, she had many favorite kids. Her two most favorite, who she always talked about, were Charles Vavrosky and Kent Hrbek. In 2001, Helen moved to Detroit Lakes, MN, to live near her two children and their families. While living in Detroit Lakes Helen loved the many cats and dogs that her daughter acquired, thinking of them as if they were her grandkids. Georgie the cat was her favorite. Georgie even visited her in the nursing home.



Helen is survived by one son, Todd (Sue) of Hitterdal, MN; one daughter Cheryl (Roy) Zierke of Ponsford, MN; four grandchildren, David Roybal, Adam Taylor, Sarah Funk, Bryan Larson; two great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Bailey Taylor. Helen was preceded in her death by her husband, Howard on December 27, 1997; her parents, Edwin and Hedvig; her brother Robert Peterson.



Memorials are preferred and will be given to Helen's favorite charities.

---

---