Helen Jean Barsness

Helen Jean Barsness, age 101, of Cannon Falls, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Cannon Rivers Senior Living in Cannon Falls, with her loving family by her side.

Jean was born on August 5, 1924, in Marathon, Iowa, to Willard and Laura Florence (Peterson) Wells. She graduated from Marathon High School in 1942 and later attended Minneapolis Business College.

Jean married Herbert "Herb" Barsness on March 16, 1946, at Grace Lutheran Church in Marathon, Iowa. In 1951, they moved to the Cannon Falls area and became members of First English Lutheran Church.

Throughout her life, Jean held various positions, including working at DoAll in Savage, Western Auto, for Attorney Merle Olson, and at Dr. Klefstad's Clinic. She was a devoted and active member of First English Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir, taught fourth-grade Sunday School, served on the church council, participated in Ladies Circle and Altar Guild, worked with the Marion Theel Scholarship Fund for 40 years, participated in Stephens Ministry, and served in many other volunteer roles throughout her 75 years as a member.

Jean was also active with the Cannon Falls Food Shelf. She and Herb enjoyed making maple syrup together for many years from their woods in Goodhue County. She loved vegetable and flower gardening and found great joy in baking for family, friends, and members of the community.

Her family brought her immense joy and was the center of her life. Jean radiated gratitude, love, and appreciation for her family, friendships, faith, and the many blessings in her life. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Sue Eaker and her husband, Tom Eaker; her grandchildren, Erica Anderson-West and her husband, Kevin; Robyn West; Laura (Eaker) Sands and her husband, Jason; and Dan Eaker and his wife, Jessica; her great-grandchildren, Kinsley Sands, Micah Anderson, and Brayden Sands; her sister-in-law, Shirley Wells; her brother-in-law, Myron Dahle; and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herbert "Herb" Barsness; her son, Gary Barsness; her daughter, Jan (Barsness) West; her parents, Willard and Laura Florence Wells; her brother, James Wells; and her sister, Arlene Dahle.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. A luncheon at First English Lutheran Church will immediately follow the service.
Interment at Cannon Falls Cemetery will follow the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First English Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls.