Helen Haupt

Helen Haupt, 91, a 61-year Eden Prairie resident, died Nov. 12, with family at her side. She was born May 14, 1933, to William and Mary Iossi in Davenport, Iowa, the eighth of nine children.

Helen is survived by her brothers, Merv of Davenport, Iowa, and Roger of Sedona, Arizona; her children, Bill (Julie) Haupt of Minneapolis, Ellen (Mark) Smith of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Rick (Tae Young) Haupt of Sharpsburg, Georgia; her grandchildren, Andrew and Kate (Eric Brinza) Haupt, Nick (Liz) Smith and Alex Smith; her great-grandchildren, Mary Ellen and Rosie Smith; along with extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cort; her parents; her sisters, Florence and Rosemary; and her brothers, Samuel, Frank, Ed and Glenn.

Helen graduated from Davenport High School in 1951. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary at Ralston Purina. She met her future husband, Cortland Haupt, at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Davenport, and they were married there on June 27, 1954.

Helen moved with Cort to Minneapolis in 1955. They settled in Eden Prairie in 1958. Helen stayed home to raise their children while Cort became a partner at Stanchfield and Haupt, Inc. Helen began working in the company as secretary and office manager during 1986 after the couple became empty nesters. In 1998, they moved the company to their Eden Prairie home. 

Helen loved her family and was a tireless volunteer. She attended nearly all of her children’s youth activity events. She headed fundraisers for the Eden Prairie High School Band over many years. She led many Camp Fire events. She delivered hundreds of meals to senior citizens over multiple years through the Dinner at Your Door program.

She enjoyed flower gardening, especially tending to her multi-colored iris. She enthusiastically cleaned, prepared and shared Cort’s fruit and vegetable harvest with family and friends. Rhubarb pies, raspberry jam and applesauce were a few of her specialties, loved by many. 

She was a five-decade member of the Hopkins United Methodist Church, where she served in various circle groups. She served as the church hostess, planning, preparing and serving wedding, funeral and special event luncheons and dinners. Helen and Cort later transferred to Eden Prairie United Methodist Church.

Memorial services will be planned for May/June 2025. Friends of Helen may write rickhaupt@yahoo.com for more information.