Date of Birth:
Wednesday, September 8, 1926
Date of Death:
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Age:
97 years old

Helen M. Eisenman

Helen M. Eisenman, age 97, of Rochester, MN died on July 17, 2024, surrounded by family. Helen was born on September 8, 1926 to Frederick and Amalie Kimmer. She grew up in Hopkins, MN in a loving family with four brothers and three sisters.

In grade school, Helen admired the public health nurse and decided to become a nurse when she grew up. In 7th and 8th grade, she volunteered and worked in the public health nurse’s office at school.

The summer of 1944, after graduation from Hopkins High School, Helen was accepted into the US Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII and admitted into the Abbott Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN. In 1947, Helen’s grade school dream came true: she graduated and became a registered nurse. She was a loyal friend to five of her classmates, whom she stayed in touch with throughout her life.

On August 22,1947, Helen and Dana Willard Eisenman were married at the John Hus Presbyterian Church in Hopkins. They made their home and raised three daughters in Rochester.

Helen worked evenings at the hospital when Dana cared for their young children at home after his work. In the fall of 1959, Helen was employed and worked in immunization at the Public Health Center in Rochester. She retired after 32.5 years of public health service in March of 1992.

Faith was a vital part of every stage of Helen’s life. On May 23rd, she celebrated her 70th year of membership at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In the decades after her retirement, she volunteered by visiting the sick and elderly, preparing food for church functions, and assembling bulletins for services. When she could no longer attend services, she valued the visits from pastors and friends.

Having grown up around lakes, Helen enjoyed family time at the lake cabin Dana and she built. She loved swimming, water skiing, and hosting outdoor fish fries for her relatives. Helen delighted in the great outdoors, and enjoyed many travels with family and friends throughout the USA. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; three sisters; husband of 42 years, Dana Eisenman; and daughter Kay Kirtz. She is survived by daughter Jenny Anderson (Todd), daughter Diane Erlandson (Glenn), grandson Mike Myhrom (Siri), granddaughter Sarah Myhrom Eisenman (Kerry Woolley), and great granddaughters Elena and Stella Myhrom.

A family memorial service will be held at the MN State Veterans Cemetery-Preston. Helen will be buried with her husband Dana who served in the navy in the Pacific Theater during WWII. 

The family celebrates her faith in Jesus Christ and his promise of life eternal.