Helen Marie Berns

Helen Marie (Pritchard) Berns died Monday, February 23, 2026, at Pine Valley Community Village in Richland Center. Helen resided at Pine Valley since November 2018. Born May 25, 1936, in Wadena, Iowa, Helen was the first of three children born to Roscoe and Marie (Johnson) Pritchard. She grew up on a farm in Fayette County, Iowa. She cherished many memories of her childhood years on the farm. Helen graduated from Wadena High School in 1953. Following high school, she attended Gates Business School. Upon graduation, Helen worked as a secretary for Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa. She spent her working life as Dan’s right hand in their real estate and appraisal businesses. Helen met Daniel Berns at a 1954 Valentine’s Dance at the Pine Lodge in Oelwein, Iowa the night before he had to report for his draft. When Dan returned in September of 1955, they began a 2-year courtship. Dan and Helen married on September 14, 1957, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lamont, Iowa. Many times, Dan would tell whoever would listen that Divine Intervention brought him and Helen together. The family moved several times the first 10 years Dan and Helen were married before settling in Richland Center and completing their family of 10 children. Helen converted to Catholicism in 1956 and was devoted to her faith in the Lord. She worked her entire life in preparation for her final journey. Helen was never one to draw attention to herself or to her efforts or merits. She did all things well, quietly and with no fanfare, dressing simply, cooking for her ten children calmly, growing, canning, and freezing from her large garden, adding color to the yard and our world with her flowers, baking big batches of bread, and beginning it all with Sunday Mass. Her faith was deep, and her soul was trusting. She delighted friends and guests with her ready smile and hearty laughter. She never spoke ill of anyone, and she never had an enemy. Helen is survived by sons Mark, Mike (Robin), Tom (Nikol), Fr. Eric, Matt (Fabiana), and Tony (Jenny). Helen is also survived by daughters Ann (Catherine), Therese (Paul) Deckert, and Jane (Rande) Swanson. Helen is further survived by 27 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her sister, Erma Jane, and sisters-in-law JoAnn Pritchard and Phyllis Berns. In addition to her husband, Dan, Helen was also preceded in death by her son, Paul; grandson, Hunter; her parents, and her brother, Raymond Pritchard. Helen’s love for her family included luring them into card games lasting into the early morning hours, often employing her interpretation of the rules for her benefit. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 3 PM – 6 PM at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center with a Vigil Service at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Richland Center, with her son Father Eric Berns officiating along with priests of the Diocese of La Crosse. Following a luncheon in the church hall, burial will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Keyesville. Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church or Pine Valley Foundation. Her family is grateful for the loving care provided by the wonderful staff at Pine Valley Community Village. www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com

Helen Marie Berns

May 25, 1936 - February 23, 2026