Helen Marie Coleman

Helen Coleman, 99, of La Crosse, WI, passed away on June 12, 2026, in La Crosse. She was born on February 15, 1927, in rural Crawford County, Wisconsin, to Ole and Inga (Nederloe) Helgerson. She was raised on the family farm with her siblings Reuben, Joe, Katherine, and Rolf. She graduated from Gays Mills High School as valedictorian in 1944. She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Lawrence Coleman, on June 15, 1944. She and Lawrence had 5 children and spent their married life residing in La Crosse. They were lifelong active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Helen was especially active in music ministry, worship committee, WELCA, and communion ministry to the homebound. She also participated in Gunderson Hospital Pastoral Care, Hmong Resettlement, Causeway, Mobile Meals, and Come to Supper. She was a woman of great faith, service to others, and love of family. She became an amazing seamstress in clothing 4 daughters. She was a wonderful cook and loved to have a full table, often entertaining extended family and friends. Everyone felt welcome in her home. Given her Norwegian heritage, she also enjoyed working at Scandia Hus for many years.

She is survived by children Kay (Tom) Lee, Susan Sleik, Janet (Mark) Wienkes and David (Kathleen) Coleman, son-in-law Roy Campbell (Ellen Ullsvik), and brother Rolf Helgerson. Also survived by grandchildren Elizabeth (Mike), Peter (Cori), Dan, Kathy, Matthew (Margaret), Nathan, Megan (Jeremy), Eric, Lee (Des), Kirk (Renee), 18 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents Inga and Ole, in-laws Roy and Letha, siblings Reuben, Joe and Katherine, daughter Laurie Campbell, son-in-law Jon Sleik and 2 infant grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be held in the Faith and Life Center at Riverside Transition Living Center on June 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. There will be no visitation prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice in memory of Helen.