Obituaries
Print This Page

August 24, 2006 – Sunday, April 6, 2008

Service Information
Lutheran Church in Buffalo
Thurs. 4/10/2008
11

Visitation Information

Helena Katharine Suomala Folkerds, age 19 months, of LaSalle, Minnesota and the beloved daughter of Pastors Aaron & Mary Suomala Folkerds, died Sunday, April 6, 2008 at Children™s Hospital in Minneapolis.

She was born on August 24, 2006 in Aurora, Illinois.

In addition to her loving parents, Helena is survived by her grandparents: Paul & Dorothy Suomala of Dilworth, Minnesota and Pastor John & Judy Folkerds of Buffalo, Minnesota; aunts, uncles and five cousins.

Preceded in death by a cousin: Owen Grant Christianson on November 28, 2007.

A visitation will be held at the church on Thursday morning, April 10th beginning at 9:30 A.M. and continuing until the time of service.

Funeral services for Helena Folkerds will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 10th at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. Southwest Minnesota Synod Bishop Jon V. Anderson will officiate.

Interment Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Casket Bearers will be uncles: Grant Christianson, David Vasquez, John Mehlhoff and Jon Suomala.

36 Guestbook Entries

  1. Rick & Dorine Wellmann

    You have our Deepest Sympathy. You’re in our thoughts & prayers.

    Rick & Dorine Wellmann
    Hanska, MN

    Reply
  2. Duncan Larson

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Duncan, Julie, Taylor, Macy, Peyton, and Maddox Larson

    Reply
  3. John Hall

    Dorothy, Oh, what sorrow to lose a precious, beautiful, innocent child. My heart goes out to you and your family. May God bless and comfort you and your family and help you to trust in Him as you pass through this trial.

    Reply
  4. Brian G. Smith

    Dorothy, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything that I might be able to do.

    Reply
  5. Josie West-Kolasa

    To the whole Suomala-Folkerds family,
    I am so sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you and will be for a long time to come.

    Reply
  6. Rev. Gary and Ruth Halverson

    Oh, our hearts are heavy as we mourn with you! What a precious little girl; what heartbreak for you to have her gone! May the Lord hold you in His loving arms. All your friends in Karlstad mourn with you.

    Reply
  7. The Froehling's

    We are deeply saddened at the news of Helena’s passing.

    May you find comfort in knowing that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many at this difficult time.

    Our sincerest sympathy,
    Landis, Rhonda, and Walker Froehling

    Reply
  8. Cindy Negen- St. James Ambulance

    I am very sad to hear of your loss. You are in my prayers.

    Reply
  9. Elaine Ruud

    To the Suomala-Folkerds Family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We mourn and share in your loss of beautiful little Helena.
    Elaine and Wayne Ruud

    Reply
  10. Jill Blekestad-Ruehling

    Our sympathies to you and all of your family. Love Rick,Jill,Kaleb,Chantel,Chania,Kolten,
    Kavan and Chakylin Ruehling.

    Reply
  11. Marie Larson and Randy Rivard

    Aaron,Mary and family,
    Just wanted you to know we are thinking about you during difficult time. Hope all the precious memories of little Helena help you through this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy,
    Marie Larson and Randy Rivard

    Reply
  12. Karlye Johnson-Retzer

    To the entire Suomala Folkerds family. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

    Karlye Retzer
    Member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

    Reply
  13. Diana Sundwall

    I am so sorry to hear of the death of your precious little Helena Katharine. We at Infants Remembered In Silence, Inc. (IRIS) would like to offer our services (support groups, etc.) please also know that you are not alone, we are here and willing to offer a loving hug, a good cry, and an understanding ear. http://www.irisRemembers.com

    Reply
  14. Kris Bode

    There are little words can say to comfort you in this time. Remember you will see her face again with no more tears at the gates.

    Kris Bode
    Sleepy Eye, MN

    Reply
  15. The Geiger's

    You have our most deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Helena will be deeply missed by all her daycare friends.

    Jason,Tracy,Brandon,Brady,Luke and Bryanna Geiger

    Reply
  16. Cindy Brunner

    Aaron and Mary, I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and share in your loss. Helena was such a precious little girl with her sweet smile and wispy blonde hair. I heard she started walking shortly after I met her:) Way to go Helena! With Jesus she will run… Thanks for sharing Helena with me – if only for a short time. My prayers for strength during this time of sorrow.
    Sincerely,
    Cindy Brunner
    River Bend Ed. District

    Reply
  17. Hanska Sons of Norway

    Dear Aaron & Mary and family,
    We were shocked and saddened to learn of Helena’s death. We will have a moment of silence for Hellena at our next meeting. On behalf of the Sons of Norway Lodge #479 we extend deepest sympathy and may your faith and the love of family and friends sustain you. Sincerely, Joel & Maureen Maureen Botten

    Reply
  18. Abby Peterson

    You have my most deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

    Reply
  19. Sara & Tim Watson

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

    Reply
  20. Jami Nylander (Hagen)

    Mary,
    I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Your daughter is beautiful, and I am so sad by your loss.
    Thinking of you…

    Reply
  21. Jennifer Althoff

    Though we have never met I do want to offer my condolences to your family. I lost my son at 5 months of age to SIDS. I know that there are no words that will make this feel better, but know that I will pray for your family to have the strength to get through this most difficult time.

    Reply
  22. Brittaney Syverson

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Reply
  23. Duane, Kim & Dominic Halbur

    Dorothy,
    Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of Helena.

    Reply
  24. John Larson

    Pastor Mary and Aaron, my deepest sympathy is extended to you and your Family. What a precious, beautiful Daughter Helena was. She has touched the hearts of many in our Parish. May she live in our hearts forever. May Gods Blessings be with you. Blessed be her Memory.

    Reply
  25. Michelle & Brennan Paulson

    We are sorry for your dear loss and are hoping for love and strength to get you through this difficult time.
    God Bless You Always

    Reply
  26. Wayne, Mary and Anastasia Pauluk

    We are so sorry for your loss. It is such a shock, because I was in your churches Sunday, praying for Helena and for you.
    We continue to pray that God will comfort you and give you the strength you need to go on. May God bless you with memories of Helena, and surround you with the love of friends, family, and all of us in the body of Christ.

    Reply
  27. Paul, Jennifer, Tyler & Carter Lang

    Words are hard to find…
    Seeing the rain fall outside it is as if God is crying along with everyone blessed to know Helena and her family.

    Thinking of you and in the days ahead. If there is anything we could ever do to help or be of comfort please know we are here for you.

    Reply
  28. David and Dawn Vee

    You have are deepest sympathy and arein our prayers.May GOD BE WITH YOU THROUGH THIS SAD TIME.

    Reply
  29. Theresa Berg

    Words can’t express our thoughts but your in our prayers. Love,Ted,Theresa,Kalicia,and J’Lynn Berg

    Reply
  30. The Jerbi Family

    Dearest Aaron & Mary,
    You have been in our prayers since we heard of your loss of precious Helena but especially today we have prayed that the Spirit might bring you comfort. It is our hope that in your sorrow today was also a day to celebrate her life and all the joy she brought to those who knew her. We certainly found great joy in her beautiful smile as we shared in her journey via her blog. We will continue to hold you and your whole family up in prayer in the days, months and years to come.
    Peace and all our love, Jen, Steve, Ella and Johanna.

    Reply
  31. Megan and Shane Trigg

    We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful daughter Helena. We too lost our son in 2006, and we just want you to know that we will be thinking of you all and praying for you during this difficult time. Losing a child is a pain that no one should ever have to feel. Although the pain never goes away it does get easier.

    Reply
  32. Jennifer Lang

    Our hearts have been saddened at the loss of Helena and our thoughts have been and will continue to be with you in the days ahead.

    Thinking of you…

    Paul, Jen, Tyler & Carter

    Reply
  33. Joel Botten

    Dear Aaron, Mary and family, On behalf of the Lin-Hans-Rud Sons of Norway, we extend our sincere sympathy in the loss of Helena. Joel & Maureen Botten
    and Sons of Norway friends

    Reply
  34. MIssy Stafford

    To the entire family, you have my deepest sympathy. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  35. The Weeks Family

    Our prayers and thoughts are with your family at this time.

    Reply
  36. jill blekestad ruehling

    You’re in my family’s prayers.

    Reply

Submit a Guestbook Entry

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *