Helen Mae Jager

Helen Jager of Dawson died on Friday, March 8, 2024 at Johnson Memorial Care Center at the age of 94.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Rev. Kendall Stelter officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 7PM on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.  A prayer service will be held at 6:30PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on the day of the service.

Helen Mae Jager was born on the family farm near Badger, SD on March 12, 1929 to Karl V. and Maren (Gertsen) Andersen.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Danish Lutheran Church in Badger, SD.  She grew up on the farm by Badger.  Helen attended high school in Arlington, SD and graduated in 1947.  Following high school she remained at home caring for her mother until she was married.  She was united in marriage to Glenn Jager at her family farm home on January 21, 1950 and they made their home on a farm by Lake Norden.  Later they would move to Watertown, SD and then finally made their home in Dawson, MN in 1959.  The couple was blessed with 5 boys: Gary, Galen, Gordon, Garney, and Gene.

Helen not only raised her family but worked outside the home.  When they moved to Dawson, Glenn and Helen owned the Dawson Dairy Freeze.  She also worked as the manager at Dueber’s  Variety Store and then as an accountant for the Dawson Coop Credit Union.  Helen taught Sunday School, was the treasurer for the Grace Lutheran Church Women, served as a funeral hostess, and was a den mother for Cub Scouts.  She enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, baking, embroidery, quilting for family, and dancing.  She loved watching sports, especially when her boys played and then when the grandchildren and great grandchildren played she would make sure she was there or listened on the radio to games.  

Helen is survived by her sons: Gary (Andrea), Hudson, WI, Galen (Paula), Gary, SD, Gordon (Vicki),Woodbury, MN, Gene, Dawson, MN; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl V. and Marne Andersen; husband, Glenn, son, Garney; daughter-in-law, Nancy Jager; three brothers: George, Esbern, Chris; and two sisters: Mabel Carman, in infancy, Florence Mae Anderson; sisters-in-law, Althea Andersen, Bertha Andersen,  Helen Andersen, Chris Andersen; and  brother-in-law, Victor Carman.

Blessed be her memory