Watch Helen's Funeral

Helen Malmskog, age 97, of Ulen, MN, died Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen with family by her side.

Helen Mae Wermager was born January 16, 1925, in rural Twin Valley in Norman County to Odin and Nora (Buchholz) Wermager, the fourth of nine siblings. She was a lifelong believer in Jesus Christ and passed with certainty that she was "going home" with the family she was so proud of.

She graduated high school at 17 years old from Waubun, MN, in 1942. Following graduation, Helen worked at Federal Cartridge in New Brighton, MN, assembling 50 caliber shells as her contribution to the war effort. She also worked for her dad's implements in Ada and Waubun.

After the war, Helen moved with her family to Montana. She got a job at the Appleway Night Club in Kalispell, MT, and soon thereafter married the owner, Larry Lindberg. At the Appleway she served, managed and sang nightly as part of the live entertainment.

The two were united in marriage on November 28, 1948. Together they owned and operated the club. After selling the club, they ventured off to the mountains and some time back home in Twin Valley for more adventures. During that time, they made their home in Utah, Minnesota, Montana, Kansas, and California. They were involved in multiple mining ventures, spent a summer staking claims in the Rockies that they later sold, bought farms and houses in Twin Valley and Montana that they rebuilt and remodeled. Traveled all over the western USA and flew on one of the early large jets from L.A. to New York and travelled the east coast. Helen met many friends that she kept for a lifetime all over the country. She always said there are good people everywhere, you just have to be open to finding them. They welcomed many nieces and nephews for memorable weeks and months with them. Helen was a favorite Auntie to many.

Larry passed away in Los Angeles in 1974, after 5 years of cancer treatments. Helen cared for Larry and worked to help keep their many business ventures going. She moved back to the Twin Valley area with Mom, Dad and her disabled brother Harold, who titled Helen as his "best friend", the title Helen was most proud of. She later bought a house in Detroit Lakes, MN, across the street from her sister, Janice. She worked as a bookkeeper and in collection of bad checks and delinquent accounts at JCPenney. Helen was tough and trustworthy, perfect for that job.

In 1978, while at the bowling alley in Detroit Lakes she met Duane "Smiley" Malmskog and it was laughs, dancing, and fun from that first meeting. The couple was married on May 6, 1979, and Helen joined Smiley on the farm. She helped with the horses and daily chores and still managed to volunteer at the Twin Valley Living Center and care for her disabled brother, Harold and her mother, Nora. She loved her animals, especially her dogs and many cats. During their marriage, they enjoyed their time on the farm, visits from their nieces and nephews, participation in bowling leagues, being active in their church, and attending social events. Over the years, Helen was an election judge, avid Minnesota Twins fan, part of the Homemaker's Club and the ladies aide at Walworth Church.  She was a wonderful cook and baker, always having something fresh to share when you stopped in for a much-enjoyed visit. She also had a plentiful garden and beautiful flower beds she tended.

In January of 2017, Smiley and Helen moved off the farm into the Viking Manor Assisted Living.  He passed away later that summer on June 12 ^th . Helen remained in their apartment until moving to the nursing home in 2020, where she made her home until her death. Helen was a wonderful wife, aunt, friend, sister, daughter and neighbor and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Helen is survived by a brother, Don (Jeanne) Wermager of Buffalo, MN; brother-in-law, Chaney Mickelson of Twin Valley; sister-in-law, Lola Wermager of Lake Park, MN; and numerous extended family members. Helen was preceded by both of her husbands, Larry in 1974 and Smiley in 2017; her parents; four sisters: Audrey (Leonard) Parisian, Thelma (Mack) McDermott, Norma (Marvin) Peterson, and Janice Mickelson; four brothers: Harold, Roger, Doug and infant brother, Neil who passed during childbirth.

Blessed be the memory of Helen Malmskog.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Ulen.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral in the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.