Helen Frances Depuydt

Longtime St. Clair resident Helen "Granny" Depuydt passed away Friday, December 2, 2022, at Autumn Grace Care Center in Mankato.

Helen was born in Mankato on January 31, 1927, the youngest of ten children born to Charles and Elizabeth (Coughlan) Anderson. She married Gerve Depuydt on July 11, 1945, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato.

One time owner of Granny's Cafe in St. Clair, Helen remained busy during her retirement years with church services and volunteer duties. She traveled extensively, with frequent visits to family in Arizona, North Dakota, and Nebraska. Beyond her fierce loyalty and commitment to prayer, family and friends, Helen pursued passions for holiday celebrations, thrift shopping, playing bingo and rummy, and music and dancing with boundless enthusiasm and reckless energy. Helen previously lost her husband, Gerve, daughter, Cathy Spear; sons-in-law, Carl Coatney and Jim Lyons; three grandsons; and a great-granddaughter. Helen was also predeceased by her parents, all her siblings, all the cousins of her generation, and all their spouses.

Helen is survived by four daughters, Sharon Coatney of Phoenix, AZ, Connie (Gerald) Johns of Mankato, Judy (Darin) Hamre of Wheatland, ND, and Susan Lyons of Eagle Lake. She is survived by two sons, Paul (Mary) Depuydt of St. Clair and Pete Depuydt of Mankato; son-in-law, Rick Spear of St. Clair; and sister-in-law, Dodie Moldan of Searles. She is also survived by 28 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Helen’s Life will be held at 10am, Friday, December 16, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm, Thursday, December 15 at church and also one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery. Please share a memory of Helen with her family and view her service livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com.