Dana Helgerson

Dana Lou (Gagnon) Helgerson, age 65 of Rochester, MN passed away after a valiant fight against cancer on February 13, 2024. Born on January 6, 1959, in Escanaba, MI, Dana was the second oldest child of Harold and Kathleen (Porter) Gagnon. Dana resided in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan until 2007 when she moved to Minnesota and met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Helgerson. They married on June 8, 2010, and spent the last several years singing karaoke, traveling, tackling home renovations, and running their Via Veneto Italian Ice business together.  

Dana was an extraordinary woman who wore many different hats throughout her life, including tapping trees for maple syrup, working in a sawmill, a successful career in sales, and owning her own home decor business. Dana was also a very talented singer, winning a karaoke contest in Norway, Michigan where she opened for John Conlee in the late 1990s singing “455 Rocket.” Dana enjoyed many hobbies including gardening and expressed her creative spirit through crochet, sewing, silk floral arrangements, and interior design. She had a do-it-yourself attitude and eagerly took on any project, whether it be demolition, construction, or redesign.   

Dana is preceded in death by her mother Kathleen, father Harold, older brother Harold, and younger brothers Gerald, Jon, and Mark. She is survived by her loving husband Chuck, her children Jamie Rambo, Julie (Ryan) Freidhoff, Lee (Stephanie) Usher, Marissa (Shane) Braatz, stepchildren Nikki (Jim) Graham, Erin (Brent Beyer) Helgerson, Amber (Pedro) Loperena, Ashley Helgerson, 18 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and younger brothers Darrell (Sherri) Gagnon, and Rick (Jennifer) Gagnon.  

As per Dana’s request, no funeral service will be held and instead a celebration of life will be held on March 23, 2024, at 2 PM, location to be determined. Further details will be communicated to family and friends as they become available.