Helen Tinklenberg was born on August 22, 1926 in Ashton, Iowa, the daughter of August and Lena (Douma) Zylstra.  At the age of six months the family moved to Manhattan, Montana where Helen attended school through the 8th grade.  They then moved to Edgerton, Minnesota and Helen graduated from the Edgerton Public High School in 1945.

Helen was employed as a telephone operator in Pipestone and later in Edgerton.  She was married to Jacob Tinklenberg on November 7, 1946 and they had one son, Lloyd.  They lived in Windom, Minnesota and Edgerton for a short time and later moved to a farm in Lake Wilson, Minnesota.  They returned to the Edgerton area when they purchased a farm and lived there until they retired in 1987, moving to Luverne, Minnesota shortly thereafter. 

Helen enjoyed farm living so much because of her love for animals.  She particularly liked to help feed the calves.  Although she had a multitude of cats and dogs, her favorites were “Goldie” the cat and “Spotty” the dog.  She was known for providing excellent “lunches” to the hired men or other visitors and her house was always in perfect order.  Helen loved to visit and would talk to really anyone who would listen.

Helen married Charles Baklund in 1996 and they enjoyed spending the winters in Arizona.  She became a resident at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone in July of 2014.  On February 12, 2015, Helen died at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 88 years, five months, and 20 days.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Johnny; husbands, Jacob and Charlie; and her son, Lloyd.  She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Connie; two grandchildren, Lance and Leah; and two great-grandchildren,  all residing in Las Vegas, Nevada; one brother, Don (Ann) Zylstra; nephew, Arlyn Zylstra; and nieces, Marlene Jueneman and Connie Noll.

Memorial are preferred to the Red Cross.