Helene M. (Ackerman) Folin

Helene Ackerman Folin, age 94 of Glenwood, died September 16, 2019 at Glenwood Retirement Village, Glenwood, Minnesota. A Memorial service will be held October 3rd at 1:00 pm at Glenwood United Parish with Rev. Laura Nordstrom officiating. 

Helene was born to John and Helen (Rice) Ackerman on January 20th, 1925 in South Bend Indiana. She started school in Royal Oak, Michigan, graduated from Junior High School in Sandwich, Illinois, and High School in Yardley, Buck's County, Pennsylvania in 1942.

She received her nursing diploma from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania (now known as Medical College of Pennsylvania) in 1945. Helene became a Cadet Nurse in the Armed Forces the last 6 months of training during WWII. It was then she met and married Norvel Early, with whom she had three sons; Thomas, Charles, and John.

In 1960, she married Fred Quick, who was released after 3 1/2 years as a Japanese prisoner of war, and they had one daughter, Sharon.

She married Clint Folin in 1974, and lived a life full of love and laughter with him until his death in 2013.

During her nursing career, she worked at the Medical College of Pennsylvania, as well as hospitals in Beaufort, SC., Borger, TX, and Wilmington, NC.  She was in charge of the Critical Care Unit of Palomar Hospital in Escondido, CA, and worked as a ward clerk at both Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, and the Starbuck Lutheran home after her retirement.

As a charter member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, she served as both a board member and national treasurer of the organization.  After marrying Clint, and moving to Minnesota, she became a member of the Pope County Young at Heart Singers, Glacial Ridge Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and as a member of the Glenwood United Parish, served on the church council and other positions, as well as singing with the church choir for many years.

Helene is survived by her children: Charles (Barbara) Early of Fairfield, CA, Sharon (JR) Westen of Antrim, NH, as well as her step-children: Chelene (Dan) Koenig of Sardis, BC, Scott (Loraine) Folin of Gold Hill, OR, Randy (Denise) Folin, Robin (Derek) Clark, and Lisa (Tom) Hebb, all of Fallbrook, CA, and her brother-in-law, John (Priscella) Folin of Mound, MN.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons: Thomas and John; a sister in infancy; brother, John Ackerman; and her three husbands.

Helene's family would like to thank the caregivers, Tony (her "gentle giant”), Abby, Danna, Kylie, and Heidi, all of whom cared for her with such love in her final weeks, so as to allow her a graceful end of life. We would also like to give a special thanks to her beautiful friend Rita Rose, who has been so helpful in our absence.

Helene was so troubled by the strife of our nation during these tumultuous times that she asks, since she has given her soul to the Universe, you all fight for the soul of our country by voting Trump out of office. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.