Erika Hellerstedt

Erika Hellerstedt, 84, born February 1, 1941, in Prague Czechia to the union of Robert and Elizabeth (Martin) Legler. Erika passed away April 23, 2025, in Bloomington, MN. 

She is survived by daughter, Marlene Erika Hanold; older sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Newgard; son-in-law, Gary Stokvis; grandchildren, Carla Adelle (Seth) Dolan, Andrew Paul Hanold, Erika Elizabeth Hanold, Gary Stokvis Jr, and Tony (Kristy) Stokvis; great-grandchildren, Keegan, Kinsley and Keeley; nieces, Gina McDonough, Cheryl (Vernon) Olson and Renee (Chris) Buelow; nephews, Terry (Joy) Newgard and Steven (Demetria) Newgard. Also survived by numerous other nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

Preceded in death by husband, Jerome Royce “Jerry” Hellerstedt (passed June 14, 1997); son, Mark Hellerstedt (passed July 24, 1979); daughter, Monica Stokvis (passed October 26, 2023), parents; brothers, Peter and Paulie Legler of Germany; son-in-law, Paul Matthew Hanold; mother-in-law, Gertrude Hellerstedt; brother-in-law, Dean Newgard; and sister-in-law, Darlene (Jerry) Thelen. 

Erika met Jerry in Germany while he served in the US Army, and they married on February 5, 1958, at Dachau. Jerry brought Erika home to Minneapolis where she lived until moving to Bloomington in 2022. Erika and Jerry welcomed three children, Marlene (1958), Mark (1959) and Monica (1961) who were all born in the month of December. Early on Erika, Jerry, Liz and Dean built cabins in Northern Minnesota where both families loved fishing, boating, and snowmobiling. Erika missed her family in Germany and visited them in her early years. 

One of her favorite jobs was developing film on 38th Street in South Minneapolis, she spoke of this job often. She and Jerry not only enjoyed raising their children together, but both shared tremendous love for dogs. They had Trixie the springer spaniel, then Duke and Duchess. She didn’t meet a dog she didn’t love. She was called Oma by her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, walking dogs, taking her grandchildren to Lake Hiawatha to swim when they were small, and she did not enjoy cooking! She enjoyed sitting in her backyard on summer days and basking in the sun. She kept her house immaculate and took pride in maintaining her own yard. She was a woman a few needs and treasured simple things in life. She never wanted more and lived frugally. She took care of what she had and treasured her neighbors who were her dear friends, Hank and Agnes and Rose. She loved South Minneapolis.

Later in life she and her oldest grandchild enjoyed chatting on the phone and when in person would sit and make fun of pointless television shows. She would reminisce about her younger years and always loved walking. If she needed to clear her mind, she would walk. She loved spending time with sister Liz and her niece Cheryl faithfully would pay her visits. Erika will be greatly missed by all her family, and she was truly one of a kind. She was feisty and had a great sense of humor. 

Viewing will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, followed by funeral service, 10 a.m. both held at Starkson Family-Anderson Chapel, 14850 Garret Ave, Apple Valley, MN. Followed by committal service and burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at 1 p.m. where she will be laid to rest with her husband Jerry and son Mark.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family ~ Anderson Chapel in Apple Valley.