Helen Biren
Helen Marie Margaret (Stroh) Biren died Friday, August 25, 2017, at Koda Community Living in Owatonna, of complications from Parkinson’s Disease.
Helen was born May 22, 1936, in Luverne, Minnesota, the daughter of Jerry Stroh and Effie (Anderson) Stroh. After graduating high school, she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and then began her teaching career in Pipestone, Minnesota. She also taught in Great Falls, Montana, Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Owatonna, Minnesota, until she retired in 1993. On August 30, 1986, she married Chris Biren. She was a devoted wife to Chris until his death in 1990. Helen was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and Sarah Circle and did volunteer work at the Pink Pantry in the hospital. She was a fabulous cook and loved family, friends, laughing, playing cards, gardening, knitting and hardanger. Helen had wonderful, devoted friends that were there helping her through her journey with Parkinson’s.
She is survived by her brother, Harold (Carol) Stroh and sister-in-law, Judy Stroh, all of Luverne, Minnesota; five step-children, Mark (Dee Dee) Biren of Golden, Colorado, Shelly (Marc Chamberlain) Biren of Seattle, Washington, Tom Biren of Arvada, Colorado, Marcie (Ken) Beyersdorf of Tucson, Arizona, and Beth (Eric) Eppers of Atlanta, Georgia; several step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Effie Stroh; husband, Chris Biren and brothers, David and Rodney Stroh.
Helen’s family would like to say a special “Thank You” to her friends, Rosie, Ken, B.J., Dorothy, Elda and Ginny.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Monday, August 28, 2017, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and at church on Tuesday one hour prior to the service. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna followed by a lunch reception at Michaelson Funeral Home.
Interment will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 in St. Leo Cemetery in Pipestone, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, Parkinson’s Research, or Heartland Hospice.
Arrangements were provided by Michaelson Funeral Homes Inc. of Owatonna.
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