Helen Jean Thorstad

Helen Jean Thorstad, 98 of Albert Lea, MN, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Austin, MN surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born on July 7, 1924 to Henry and Hazel (Anderson) Brell in Mankato, Minnesota. She attended and graduated from Mankato schools and later attended Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. On January 7, 1945 she was wed to Vincent Thorstad and together they raised 3 children, Larry, Craig and Debbi. During her career as a registered nurse, she worked at various hospitals including: St. James, Windom and Westbrook; working the night shift so she was able to see her children off to school in the morning and greet them after school. With a love for knitting, Helen made numerous pairs of hats and mittens that she donated to local homeless shelters, sweaters for her family, along with Christmas stockings that she would give as gifts to family and friends. Helen also enjoyed cross stitching, refinishing furniture, reading, and often kidded that her greatest talent was sleeping. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Larry (Lanae) Thorstad, Craig (Connee) Thorstad, and Debbi (Marty) Sharp; grandchildren, Joshua (Brenda) Thorstad, Amy (Ben) Smith, Marcus (Laura Austin) Thorstad, Andrew (Tyra) Thorstad, Brell Sharp, Jeffrey Thorstad, and Jonathan Thorstad; great grandchildren, Tommy Smith, Peter Smith, Charlie Smith, Victoria Thorstad, and Veanna Thorstad; and nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent in 1999; her parents, Henry and Hazel; and brothers, Carl Brell and Ralph Brell.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Bonnerup Funeral and Cremation Services in Albert Lea, Minnesota; Pastor Heidi Heimgartner will officiate. Helen’s family will greet friends at a visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato, Minnesota. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting www.BonnerupFuneralService.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church Hawthorne Backpacks Program at 918 Garfield Ave. Albert Lea, MN 56007 or St Croix Hospice at 2580 Bridge Ave. Albert Lea, MN 56007.