Helen Apfel

Helen Louise Apfel, 97, passed away on March 31, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Marys Campus in Rochester after a brief illness. Helen was born November 3, 1919 in Wright, Minnesota to Charles and Minnie Applequist. She graduated from Hayfield High School in 1936. On October 8, 1941 she married Walter Apfel. They spent their entire married life living and working on the Apfel family farm in Mantorville Township. During that time, Helen also worked in Rochester for several families performing various domestic services. Helen was a lifelong member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Kasson and an active member of Bethel Circle. Each fall she donated her time and talent to the church by making lefse and rosettes for the annual lutefisk dinner. She often donated her time at St. Johns quilt-making sessions as well. Her other hobbies included card playing, knitting and crocheting. For over 50 years she enjoyed playing cards as a member of Bethel Birthday Club. She used her skills to make baby caps for Rochester Mayos Methodist campus logging over 4000 hours of volunteer work. Helen is survived by her son James (Mary) Apfel of Mantorville; 2 grandchildren, Laurie (John) Mullin of Verona, WI and Jay (Amy) Apfel of Carver, MN; and 1 great-grandchild, Kaitlyn. She was preceded in death by her husband (deceased March 31, 1998), 3 brothers and 1 sister. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday April 6, 2017 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Kasson. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church in Kasson. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, MN. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Kasson. The family also wishes to thank the staff on 5-D Mary Brigh at Rochester Mayos St. Marys Campus for their kindness and compassion during Helens stay. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com