HELEN STREIFEL

Helen Streifel of Devils Lake formerly of Esmond, ND passed away peacefully on Monday morning, February 17, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of family. Helen was 95. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Helen will be laid to rest beside her husband in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Esmond. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Friday, February 21st from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and then visitation will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Helen, daughter of Anton and Katherine (Miltenburger) Burkhard was born on April 27, 1918 at Fulda, ND. The family lived in the Fulda/Esmond area and Helen attended the Isabel Township School. She helped care for her younger brothers and sisters and also helped on the family farm. At the County Fair in Esmond, Thomas Streifel saw the “prettiest girl in town” and it was love at first sight. They had one dance together, then Helen continued her life on the farm. But she was never forgotten by Thomas and they were united in marriage on October 26, 1936 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond. They established their home on a farm, rural Esmond. Thomas died on February 23, 1995. That fall, Helen moved to Devils Lake and made her home here until her death. Helen was the ultimate farm wife. She raised chickens, milked cows, tended a large garden and canned the produce, baked bread, cooked thousands of delicious meals for family and friends and farmed side by side with her husband. But we can’t forget she was also a loving and devoted wife and mother to 10 children. Helen was a faithful and active member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and Altar Society in Esmond and after moving to Devils Lake a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She continued to volunteer her time and talent to the church and also as a member of St. Jude’s Circle. There was always something that needed to be done on the farm, but Helen and Tom knew the importance of family gatherings, church events, playing cards with neighbors and friends and a whirl around the dance floor whenever possible. Any event in Esmond was considered a family get-together. As life slow down a bit on the farm, they enjoyed playing Bingo in the neighboring towns and once in awhile a trip to the Casino. But faith, family and friends were always the priorities of Helen’s life. Helen is survived by her loving family. Her children and their spouses, Dennis and Alice Streifel, Fargo, ND, Richard and Trude Streifel, Green Bay, WI, Norman and Alice Streifel, Williston, ND, Alvina Mehlhoff, Bismarck, ND, Evelyn and Roger Iverson, Minot, ND, Robert and Rachel Streifel, Woodbury, MN, Sharon and Lynn Fischer, Surprise, AZ, Yvonne and Brian Holm-Pederson, Moorhead, MN and Leon and Dawn Streifel, Fargo; twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; sister, Marie Ridley, Dickinson, ND and brother, Raymond Burkhard, Devils Lake; sisters-in-law, Donna Streifel, Devils Lake and Mary Streifel, Minot; numerous nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; son, Clement in 1974; grandson, Kent Streifel; sisters, Anna Kurtz, Lena Volk and Barbara Scherr and brothers, John Burkhard and Mike Burkhard. Serving as Casket Bearers for Helen will be her grandchildren. Reading the Scriptures will be Robert Streifel and Dawn Streifel and Gift Bearers will be Allison Orr and Laura Martin. Music will be provided by Rachel Streifel and Patty Cote.