Helga Edith (Akkanen) Ragan, 91, formerly of Duluth, returned to her Heavenly Father on September 27, 2023.

Helga was born March 23, 1932 to August and Ellen (Korvola) Akkanen. She married her Air Force sweetheart, James H. Ragan on December 1, 1951. Together, Helga and Jim raised two beautiful daughters, Yvonne and Cynthia. They considered their biggest accomplishment to be putting both of their daughters through nursing school. Helga had many passions and taught classes on nearly every one of them. She loved to travel and explored Finland, Russia, The Taj Mahal, and everywhere in between. Helga was a very proud Ordained Minister and married 3 of her grandchildren and baptized her first of 6 great-grandchildren. If you knew her, that means you have tasted her amazing cakes, which she baked and decorated professionally for any occasion. Wedding cakes were her passion.

Helga was proceeded in death by her loving husband, Jim Ragan, in 2012.

Helga is survived by her two daughters, Yvonne Venier of Cloquet and Cynthia (Jay) Haugen of Rochester; 4 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

A small celebration of life will be held on Saturday September 30, 2023 at private residence.

A small memorial will also be held Saturday, October 21, 2023 at her previous address in Duluth. Please contact Melanie Pryor (Venier) at 507-269-3674, if you wish to join us.