Helen Svenby, age 93, of Mahnomen, MN, died Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Helen Pearl Halvorson was born September 19, 1919 to Gilman and Alma (Kolsrud) in Keene Township near Ulen, MN. She attended Keene Country School and Ulen High School. Helen had many fond memories of family gatherings, school activities, helping with the farm chores, 4th of July celebrations and thrashing time.

In Helen's teen years, she started working for friends and neighbors, taking care of children and doing household chores. While working for a friend, Helen met George Svenby and they were united in marriage on November 28, 1939. The couple made their home and farmed near Thief River Falls, MN, before moving to Bejou, MN, to raise their family. They lived together in Bejou for nearly 50 years until George's death in January of 1992. Helen stayed in her home for two years, then moved to Welle Apartments in Mahnomen for fifteen years. In March 2010, she moved to the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

When the kids were older, Helen and a friend would go potato picking, making extra money for Christmas. She also worked as a waitress at Forsell's Truck Stop in Erskine and at the Red Apple Café for 15 years. In addition to Helen's waitressing, she was also employed at Ben Franklin and the hospital, both in Mahnomen.

Helen and George joined the
Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1945, where they were active members, serving as the custodians for several years. Helen enjoyed working in the church and with the ladies aid. In her retirement years, she enjoyed playing cards with the ladies in the Welle Apartment building, going to Senior Citizens for bingo, and having coffee at the Red Apple Cafe. Helen also enjoyed sewing and crocheting and loved to make quilts. Over the years, she sewed lots of clothes and stitched many doilies, afghans and quilts for family and friends. Helen was a kind, caring and soft-spoken person. She was a hard worker and never afraid to tackle a project of any magnitude. She didn't need riches or fancy things, but took great pride in her home, cooking, gardening and her flowers. The coffee and cookies were always ready for family and friends.

Helen is survived by one son, Kenneth (Linda) Svenby, Waubun, MN; two daughters, Darlene (Bruce) Graham of Puyallup, WA, and Judy Noyes of Grand Forks, ND; daughter-in-law, Sharon Svenby of Grand Forks, ND; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four sisters: Alpha Johnson of Valley City, ND, Doris Schiele of Moorhead, MN, Norma Lienum of Minneapolis, MN, and Florence Holte of Barnesville, MN; and sister-in-law, Adeline Halvorson of Ulen, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Howard; sister, Mae Halvorson and two brothers, Archie and Lloyd Halvorson.


Funeral Services were held at 10:00AM on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bejou, MN, with Pastor Scott Morey officiating. Special Music was provided by Naomi Steinmetz. Serving as pallbearers were Chad Svenby, Dakota Noyes, Garth Vaagene, Clayton Svenby, Dave Nance and Tanner Vaagene. Honorary bearers were Helen's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation was held on Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home from 5:00PM until 7:00PM with a Prayer Service at 6:30PM. Special music was provided by Daniel Wiebusch and Chad Svenby. Burial was held at Bejou City Cemetery.