Dana Lou (Gagnon) Helgerson
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Dana Lou (Gagnon) Helgerson, 65, of Rochester, Minn., passed away on February 13, 2024, after a valiant fight against cancer. Born on January 6, 1959, in Escanaba, Mich., Dana was the second of seven children born to Harold and Kathleen (Porter) Gagnon.
Dana enjoyed many hobbies and expressed her creative spirit through gardening, singing, crochet, sewing, floral arrangements, and interior design. An entrepreneurial spirit, she wore many hats throughout her life. Most recently, she and her husband owned and operated their Via Veneto Italian Ice business together.
Dana was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Kathleen, and brothers Harold, Gerald “Gerry”, Jon, and Mark.
She is survived by her husband Charles “Chuck” Helgerson, her children Jamie Usher-Rambo, Julie (Ryan) Usher-Freidhoff, Lee (Stephanie) Usher, Marissa (Shane) Braatz, stepchildren Nikki (Jim) Graham, Erin (Brent Beyer) Helgerson, Amber (Pedro) Loperena, Ashley Helgerson, 18 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, brothers Darrell (Sherri) Gagnon and Rick (Jennifer) Gagnon, and several nieces and nephews.
Per Dana’s request, a funeral service will not be held. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.