Helen Konz Mathwig

Helen Heppner was born on the family farm north of Butterfield, MN, on April 11, 1917, to Peter and Helena (Fast) Heppner. She was the 5th of 7 children in the family, and grew up on the farm with 4 brothers and 2 sisters. She attended country school north of Butterfield. On September 5, 1934, Helen married Felix Konz at the Catholic Church in Comfrey. They lived in Darfur where Helen was a homemaker. In 1943, they moved to St. James where they raised their 6 children - Janice, Allen, Gloria, Deloris, Brian and Diane. In 1967, their daughter Gloria was in need of a kidney transplant and Helen donated one of hers. Helen & Felix were married 40 years, when Felix died from lung cancer in July 1974. During their 40 years together, Helen & Felix worked hard but enjoyed doing things like old time dancing and playing cards with friends. Helen worked as a sales clerk for JC Penney's in St. James for 25 years. In January 1978, Helen married Marty Mathwig and moved to his farm in Dunnell, MN. They spent their summers working hard on the farm, and wintering in Arizona. Marty died in January 1999 and one year later Helen sold their home in Arizona and permanently returned to Minnesota. In the fall of 2000, she moved from Dunnell to St. James. Helen loved to cook and was very good at it. She liked trying new recipes especially desserts. One of her favorite pastimes was playing bridge. Helen was very much a caregiver- always ready to help out when needed. Helen Konz Mathwig passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Garden Care Center in Cannon Falls, MN. She is survived by her children; Janice Meidl of Sioux Falls, SD, Allen (Connie) Konz of St. James, Deloris Gorman of Prior Lake, MN, Brian (Ann Blide) Konz of Cannon Falls, MN, Diane (Dennis) Russell of Lincoln, NE, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by 2 husbands, Felix Konz and Martin Mathwig, daughter Gloria Olson, grandson Scott Meidl, son-in-law Lyle Meidl, parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Visitation 1 9:30 am - 10:30 am Saturday, January 7, 2017 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, January 7, 2017 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Lunch will be served at Marian Hall following burial.