Helene Furst

Helene Mae (Rowe) Furst, 97, a resident of Cookeville, TN, for the last 6 ½ years and a resident of Heritage Pointe Senior Living for the last 8 months, died peacefully September 5, 2023, after a long and healthy life. She was born May 23, 1926 on the family farm near Scandinavia, Wisconsin to Harry and Ella Rowe. After her graduation from Scandinavia High School, she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, the first in her family to attend college. Growing up during the Great Depression, she developed life-long attributes of strength, fortitude, and common sense typical of the Greatest Generation. Following college graduation in 1948, she worked in public school and Luther College as a librarian. She earned her Master of Library Science degree at the University of Michigan and also met Edward Furst, whom she married in 1951. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Ed passed away in 2007.

Helene was an outgoing person who could strike up a conversation at any time or place and quickly find something in common with her new friend. A devoted wife and mother keenly interested in the activities of her husband and children, she enjoyed each of the college towns the family lived in during her husband’s life as a professor. The last stop was Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she put down deep roots and lived for 50 years. She was one of the founders of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with which she was deeply involved, and she established and maintained its library. She dedicated her time to volunteering in the community, for example, serving for decades at Washington Regional Hospital.

She relished her Norwegian heritage and was sought out for her skill in making the traditional lefse flat bread. Without fail, every October she would don her shirt emblazoned with “Leif Landed First.” Her trips to Norway with family members were life highlights she cherished.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Julian and Kermit, and her husband Edward Furst. She is survived by her children Linda (Dennis Tiche), Don (Ellis) and Ken (Denene); her grandchildren Caren Michael (Josh), Brian Furst, Kevin Furst (Kristin), Laura Dwyer (Ryan), Rachel Tiche, Emily Tiche, Paris Furst, Juliet Furst, and Evangeline Furst; and her great-grandchildren Tommy Michael, Nate Michael, Sam Michael, Ethan Michael, Finnegan Furst, Vivien Furst, Matthew Dwyer, and Elise Dwyer.

The family wishes to thank the devoted staff at Heritage Pointe Senior Living for their kind and professional care of Helene during her residency there, as well as Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Helene in her final days.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16 at Heavenly Host Lutheran Church in Cookeville. Her ashes will be buried with her husband's at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR.

In honoring her life you can donate to your local library in her name.

Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.