Halynn Brand, 91

May 14, 1934 - 

March 3, 2026

 

   Helynn Eleanor Brand passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after a brief illness. Born in Winneshiek County on the family farm, May 14, 1934, Helynn graduated from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Rochester, Minnesota in 1957. Known for her gentle touch and compassionate heart, Helynn dedicated over 40 years to registered nursing, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her. She spent the majority of her career at Saint-John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, taking care of the “rich and famous along with the not so famous” of Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills and Los Angeles. She also held registered nursing positions at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia and retired from Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas in 1997.

   Outside of her profession, Helynn enjoyed traveling to most of the 50 states and to Europe with friends and her older sister, Mercedes. She was a cat lover and her many cats, Chloe, Scooter, Mitzi, Cailey, and Tinker (“Tink-Tink”) were her best companions.

   Huge shout outs to the wonderful hospice team that visited her every day, especially Megan and Shannon who Helynn liked dearly. The care she received during her short stay at Evans Sr. Living was outstanding. Many thanks to her kind neighbors, Darrell and Susan Hageman and Coco who checked on her daily and made her smile and laugh!

   She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mercedes Baethke.

   She is survived by her two nephews, Mark (Lisa) Baethke of Zumbrota, Minnesota, and Brent (Amanda) Baethke of Minneapolis.

   A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 17 at 1:00pm in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Cresco, Iowa, Pastor Dan Baldwin officiating. Arrangements handled by Schmelzer Funeral Homes in Cresco.