Helen Marie Hemp

Helen Marie Hemp, age 103. a long-time Rochester resident and homemaker passed away on March 11 at Charter House where she had lived since 1991. She was born on January 18, 1907 (which she always has said, "was a long time ago") to Alvin and Rose (Ruege) Eisentraut on a farm in Globe Township, in Clark County near Neillsville, Wisconsin. She attended a country school and graduated from Neillsville High School. She attended teachers' training and taught for two years in a country school near Neillsville. On October 8, 1928 she married Paul L. Hemp of Neillsville. They lived briefly in Winona and then moved to Rochester in 1932 where their two children, Carl and Ann were born. The Hemp's owned and operated the Hemp Antique Car Museum near Byron for many years before selling the vehicles to Bonanzaville of West Fargo, North Dakota. While the museum was in Rochester, it displayed over 40 cars and vehicles, including several horse-drawn Mayo vehicles on loan from the Mayo Foundation, including the first ambulance which is now on display at the Mayo Clinic. She worked briefly at the Mayo Diet Kitchen in the early 1930's preparing and serving special meals to Mayo patients with special dietary needs. She devoted her life to being a homemaker and raising her family. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Ladies Aid. She volunteered as at the Olmsted County Historical Society, was a Gray Lady at the Rochester State Hospital, belonged to a Book Study Group, PTA at Folwell School and several bridge clubs. Her hobbies included playing bridge, collecting antique furniture, reading and she was an excellent cook. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in their Winnibago motorhome. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul in 1979; her two children, Ann Marie in 2003 and Carl William in 2005 ; her two sisters, Ruby Syth and Alta Allen and a brother, Carl Eisentraut. She is survived by seven grandchildren: Kathryn Olafson, Sheryl Hemp, Stephen Hemp, Paul (Shelly) Olafson, Eric Olafson, Jon Hemp, and Heide Hemp Beierle (David). Five great grandchildren: Samuel, Rachel and Sara Beierle and Isaac and Ian Olafson. Also a son-in-law: Dr. Richard Olafson and a daughter-in-law, Judy Hemp. There will be a memorial service at a later date at the Charter House in Rochester. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes assisted the family with local arrangements. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901(507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com