Helen Marie Stenberg, 83, of Bemidji, MN, and Apache Junction, AZ, passed away peaceful from cancer at home on October 3, 2017.

Helen was born July 29, 1934, in Ada, MN, to Hans and Gladys Sorenson. After growing up on a farm and graduating from high school, Helen was employed by the Ada Hospital and attended Concordia College.  She married Virgil Stenberg on June 4, 1956, a marriage that lasted for 61 years.  After he completed graduate school in Ames, IA, the couple lived in Grand Forks, ND, for 33 years and another 24 years between Bemidji, MN, and Apache Junction, AZ.

Always of strong faith in God, Helen was the family Prayer Warrior who recently was forced to simplify her prayer to "Pray for everybody" to accommodate declining health. Special to Helen were Calvary Lutheran Church and Christus Rex Lutheran Center at the University of North Dakota.

Helen was active in Homemakers, Franklin Club and Faculty Wives at the University of North Dakota. As a specialist in home cooking and family gatherings, she maintained a pocket of candy and baked legendary cinnamon rolls to delight children. Helen sewed matching outfits and bridesmaid dresses for her daughters, planned camping trips with campfires, and made scrapbooks her all her children and grandchildren. Helen, afflicted with severe arthritis, inspired the 45-year arthritis research effort of her husband.

Surviving Helen are her husband of 61 years, Virgil, and daughters Beth (Tam) Bodenheimer, Dallas, TX; Mary (Bruce) Severson, Grand Forks, ND; Pam Stenberg, Boston, MA; son Brad (Michelle) Stenberg, Grand Forks, ND, and brother Gerald (Sharon) Sorenson, St. Michael, MN. Her legacy continues with 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  Helen was preceded in death by her parents Hans and Gladys Sorenson, brothers, Sandy (Eileen) Sorenson, Allen (Cammie) Sorenson, Burton (Viola) Sorenson, Eddie (Shirley) Sorenson, and sister Margaret (Jerome) Huebner.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service: 1:00PM Saturday, October 7, 2017, at New Salem Lutheran Church, Turtle River, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

Burial: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.