Helen Pearl Jatko, age 84 of Cokato passed away on March 15, 2012. She was born to proud parents Ernest and Josie Gunderson at their home in Annandale. Growing up in Annandale, Helen later married Oscar Jatko on May 8, 1948. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital of Minneapolis as a dietary aide for Richwell Furniture as an upholsterer and helped Vivian Leukema with catering. Helen had enjoyed gardening outside, canning her fruits and vegetables and cooking (especially her delicious rice pudding and doughnuts). She had an interest in helping people and caring for the elderly.. She was active as a member of North Crow River Lutheran Church, WELCA, legion auxiliary, and as a volunteer. Helen had enjoyed her time spent with people, especially her family. She was a special wife, mother and grandmother who left everlasting memories for each of them. Survived by her husband of 64 years, Oscar of Cokato, children: Susan (Delaino) Schafer of Darwin, and Michael (Connie) Jatko, of Buffalo. 6 grandchildren: John (Shannon) McClure, Bryan McClure, Scott (Tina) McClure, Sarah (Jeff) Layton, David (Kim) Jatko, and Sonja (Chris) VanKeulen, along with 16 great-grandchildren. Proceeded in death by her parents Ernest and Josie Gunderson, brother: Arnold Gunderson, and sister: Ruth Marshall.
Honorariums preferred to Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation: Sunday, March 18, 2012 5-7 pm at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home.
Funeral services: Monday, March 19, 2012, 11:00 am at the North Crow River Lutheran Church with internment following at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.