Granquist, Helen Bertha 1921-2025

GRANQUIST, MARTENS, AHRENS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/4/2026 at 13:22:08

VERONA - Helen Bertha Granquist, age 104, of Verona, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Four Winds Manor and Lodge.

She was born on February 8, 1921, in Verdel, Neb., the daughter of George Martens and Marie (Ahrens) Martens. Helen attended High School in Wayne, Neb. through grade 9. Her mother became ill at that time and Helen quit school to focus on the needs of her family. Later in life, at age 90, she received an honorary High School diploma.

She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Dean Granquist, on April 30, 1944, in Melvin, Iowa. Helen and Dean farmed and raised their family in LeMars, Iowa for 27 years. After farming they relocated to Bella Vista, Ark. for 30 years where Helen worked as hostess at Concordia, a retirement community. In 2003 they moved to Verona, Wis. to be closer to family.

Helen lived at Sugar Creek apartments until March 2020 where she was an assistant to the manager until age 99. Due to COVID pandemic, Helen moved to her daughter, Judy’s (Bob) home until March 2025 when she moved to Four Winds Manor and Lodge.

Helen was an accomplished seamstress, homemaker, and tailor, and she was also known as a good cook. She served as a 4-H leader and was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in LeMars, Iowa, as well as a charter member of a Lutheran church in Bella Vista. Faith and church involvement were important to Helen, and she remained active in the church community wherever she lived. She was deeply loved by her family and was known for bringing monster cookies when visiting, a favorite of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her children, Judith (Robert) Dettwiler of Verona, Carol (Mark) Borglum of Blaine, Minn., Susan (Fred) Sitzmann of Rochester, Minn., and Dennis (Elizabeth) Granquist of Flagstaff, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Granquist; her parents, George and Marie Martens; brothers, Walter (Evelyn) Martens and George (Betty) Martens; sisters, Elsie (Henry) Moeller and Edna (Don) Meyers; brother-in-law, Joe (Betty) Granquist; sisters-in-law, Donna (Les) Lutt and Myla (Red) McElhose); great-grandson, Cole Schotanus; and great-granddaughter, Macie Kate Majeres.

A funeral service will be held at ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 427 S. Main St., Verona, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025.

Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Burial will take place at a later date at Resthaven Cemetery in LeMars, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, St. James Lutheran Church (stjamesverona.org) or Badger Prairie Needs Network (www.bpnn.org).

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002