Helen DeGarmo

Helen Jean DeGarmo, age 82, of Wadena, Minnesota passed away on December 30, 2024, at Perham Living Center. A Celebration of life for Jeanie will be held in the spring.

Helen Jean Henriksen was born on November 6, 1942, in Appleton, Minnesota to Jens and Eleanor (Petersen) Henriksen.  She graduated from Halloway Highschool with the class of 1960.  Helen attended Wadena Area Vocational Institute in the cosmetology program for two years.  After graduation she was employed at Brooten Beauty Shop. 

Helen “Jeanie” married Kenneth DeGarmo on November 10, 1963, in Benson, Minnesota at the Assembly’s of God Church.  They made their home in rural Wadena and together raised a family. Jeanie did daycare in their home when Kevin and Ray were young.  She was a mom to many.  Jeanie was employed at the Vera Kleinke Beauty Shop.  Jeanie loved to garden and over the years had both flower and vegetable gardens.  She loved to crochet, make cards, and bake treats.   Helen always had the coffee pot on for company and enjoyed family reunions and keeping up with her cousins.  Jeanie was also very close to her brother's children, looking after them and treating them like her own kids! They were very close in life and were always together for family holidays and life events. She really was a second mom to her nieces and nephew!"

Jeanie is preceded in death by her parents Jens and Eleanor Henriksen and her brother Sheldon Henriksen. 

Jeanie will be deeply missed by her husband of 61 years Ken, sons Kevin (Beth) DeGarmo and Raymond (Patty) DeGarmo and her granddaughter Danielle. 

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