Helen Carrigan, age 79, of Emmetsburg, passed away on October 4, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on October 9th at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Interment is in St. John’s Cemetery in Emmetsburg. The Service was Live Streamed through the Lentz Funeral Home website.
Helen Kay Carrigan, daughter of Howard and Emaline Jergens, was born July 31, 1944 in Fort Dodge, IA. After attending school in West Bend, IA for most of her life, her family moved, which meant a transfer to Gilmore City-Bradgate High School where she graduated in 1962. After short stays in Lincoln, NE and New Jersey, Helen made her home in Emmetsburg, IA where she met and fell in love with James Carrigan, Sr. They were married December 12, 1975. Helen could be described as a hard worker. She held many jobs over the years…Emmetsburg Publishing Company, SNC Manufacturing, and SkyJack Manufacturing. While the youngest kids were in high school, she also took on a paper route, covering most of the town delivering the Register and the Messenger for almost 30 years. Helen’s passions were cooking, baking, reading, gardening, and canning. She was known for her HUGE gardens, one year planting over 400 tomato plants. Her pickles and baked goods were always a huge hit. She was “Mom” to all of her childrens’ friends and “Grandma Helen” to most of the kids in town. Her greatest joy, though, was loving on her grandkids.
Helen entered her heavenly home on October 4, 2023. Those welcoming her home include her parents, Howard and Emaline; mother and father in law, Tom and Eva Carrigan; siblings, Irene, Donald, Jane, Bob, Judy, and Janet; her daughter, Rhonda Grusecki; and son-in-law, Jeff Davis.
She is survived by her husband of almost 48 years, Jim Carrigan Sr; children, Don (Cari) Lemley, Tina Davis, Jamie (Andy) Swift, Jim Jr “Duner”, Jeff Schmidt, Julie Carrigan, Pam (Mark) Meyer, Scott Carrigan, Kenny (Pam) Carrigan, Kim Carrigan and Gary (Misty Aukes) Carrigan. 19 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
The Lentz Funeral Home in Algona is serving the family. Condolences may be left at www.lentzfuneralhome.com
