Helen Haag Gaspar died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins. She was 98. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley with Rev. Aaron Nett officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Eden Valley. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, and one hour prior to services Tuesday, both at the church. Eden Valley American Legion Post 381 Auxiliary will pray at 7:30 p.m. with parish prayers immediately following Monday at the church.
Helen Marie Haag was born in West St. Paul June 2, 1920, to John and Anna Weirick, the eighth of 10 children. She married Bernard “Bunny” Haag Sept. 3, 1940, and was married to him until his death Dec. 10, 1979. They lived their entire lives in the Eden Valley area. She married Elmo Gaspar Dec. 27, 1996; he preceded her in death Aug. 27, 1999.
Helen was the head cook at the Eden Valley-Watkins School for 17 years. Her hotdish is world-famous. Always putting the kids first, she felt that no child should go hungry. If they didn’t have lunch money, she would make them a sandwich so they would have something to eat.
Helen had many passions in the community. She was instrumental in starting the Eden Valley Food Shelf, and was given the WCCO Good Neighbor award for her work with this. She received the Bishop Medal of Service Award from the Diocese of New Ulm in acknowledgment of her appointed role of Trustee at Saint Peter Catholic Church. She also was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Legion Auxiliary.
Helen was highly regarded and loved by her community. She bcame known as “the Mad Hugger,” giving hugs to anyone and everyone; no one could really escape them. Many knew this strong woman so full of love as “Helen.” Only a few of us had the privilege of knowing her simply as “Mom.” For that we are very proud.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Bunny in 1979 and second husband Elmo in 1999; and siblings Mary, Lawrence, Mildred, Lou, Frank, Agnes, Clarence, George and Dorothy.
She is survived by her children Bernard “Gene” (and Dorothy) Haag, Judy (and James) Printy, Robert (and Judy) Haag, Thomas (and Linda) Haag, and Joseph (and Mary) Haag; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; stepchildren Robert Gaspar, William Gaspar, Cheryl Peterson, Merry Barry, Michele Millard, and Stacey Thielen.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Eden Valley.