Helen Grivette

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Aurora with Fr. David Forsman and Fr. Eamonn Boland celebrating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Interment will be in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Aurora Northern Pines Activity Dept, East Range Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

Helen Grivette, age 90, of Hoyt Lakes passed away at Northern Pines Care Center in Aurora on October 30, 2024.

She was born on November 25, 1933, in Ely, MN to George and Julia (Adelsich) Velcheff. She was raised and attended school in Ely. She married Donald Grivette on February 25, 1951. They made their home in Hoyt Lakes, and were a team and dancing partners for 59 years. Helen was very active in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes. She served as a trustee, was on the finance committee, and was a member of the Council of Catholic Women and the Assumption Group. She was blessed to have met Pope John Paul II in San Francisco. Family was the center of Helen’s life. She was a homemaker until her children were older. She worked part-time for attorney Fred Cina and at Verplaetse Flower Shop in Aurora. Her job experience at the flower shop served her well when she was in charge of decorating the church for mass every week. Helen also served on the School Board and VFW Auxiliary. Helen enjoyed entertaining in her home and welcomed family and guests to sit down and enjoy homemade antipasto and a delicious meal. She mentored those interested in learning the art of making potica. At Christmas, Helen and Donald transformed their front yard into a winter wonderland of lights, a gingerbread house, Santa’s workshop, skating penguins, candy canes, Mr & Mrs Claus and a crèche scene. Helen was very direct in expressing her opinions, but was quick to take a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup to an ill or grieving neighbor. She was supportive in a crisis and reached out to meet people throughout her life’s journey. On the last day of her life, she sang Moja Decla in her room accompanied by an accordion. “I never thought my last song would be in Slovenian accompanied by a young Finlander.” (Thank you, Steve Solkela)

Helen is survived by son: Barry (Karen) Grivette of Hoyt Lakes; daughters: Renee (Mark) Boudreau of Hoyt Lakes, RaeLynn Anderson of Hoyt Lakes, Gina (Les) Soular of Dundas MN; 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Vyna Grivette and Elsie Grivette; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Donald; her parents; siblings Donald (Molly) Velcheff, Angeline (Bill) Andrew, Dolores (Peter) Prijatel and George Velcheff; her son-in-law Marty Anderson; grandson Joshua Anderson; her in-laws John and Rose Grivette, David Grivette and John Grivette.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to care givers at Northern Pines Care Center, Miller Dwan and East Range Hospice.