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Helen (Hedin) Foughty

March 30, 1924 — March 25, 2017

Helen (Hedin) Foughty

Helen Foughty, 92 of Devils Lake passed away early Saturday morning, March 25, 2017 at her home in the loving care of her family and Altru Hospice. Helen Foughty was born in Crookston, MN on March 30 1924, the daughter of Harry and Louise (Peterson) Hedin. She grew up in East Grand Forks. After graduating, she wanted to help with the war effort and was a Master Burner (steel cutter) in the Portland Ship Yards during World War II.  After the war, she continued her education at UND, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Commerce in 1946.  Helen was united in marriage to Francis “Frank” Foughty on June 3, 1944 in Washington, D.C. She and Frank moved to Devils Lake in 1949. Helen was a founding member of the Devils Lake American Association of University Women and worked with them in starting the first kindergarten in Devils Lake. She was president of the Devils Lake School Board for many years. Helen was one of the first instructors at Lake Region Junior College, teaching accounting and this inspired her to be very active in the Lake Region Community College Foundation. Helen was an active member of the Democratic NPL Party and a founding member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church working tirelessly with WELCA and as one of the Quilters. Helen loved to travel and made several trips to Norway and Sweden to visit her relatives. Her adventurous spirit led her on to trips to Costa Rica, Thailand and Hawaii also. She was a grandmother to several foreign exchange students and a mother to two exchange students, one from Bolivia and one from Brazil. Helen and Frank were founding members of Fort Totten Trails, Inc and made several wagon train trips around ND. She traveled from Devils Lake to Jamestown on horseback on one trip. She was a Cub Scout leader for many years when the children were younger.  All of Helen’s grandchildren grew up in Devils Lake, so she was actively involved in all of their lives. She loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother and they lovingly called her “Grandma the Great”. Helen was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her faith and her fortitude helped her through the sad times and she was thankful for all the blessings in her life.  Helen is survived by her children, Chaun Foughty (Vicki Michel), Maureen White Eagle, Donovan Foughty (Marca) and Eileen Tabert (Mark); foster children Lilla Anderson and Bonnie Leftbear; nine grandchildren Magda Foughty (Damen Miele), Taska Foughty, Brian White Eagle (Sarah), Melissa Engelhart (Shawn Bullinger), Matthew Foughty (Stephanie), Molly Hulett (Chris), Eric Tabert, Katey Grubisa (Philip), and Abbey Parsons (Cole); seven great grandchildren Aspen Tabert, Parker and Lillian Hulett, Elise Grubisa, Xander White Eagle, Ryker Foughty, and Gannon Miele and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank on July 20, 2005; her son Judd; foster daughter Stephanie Wanaatan; great granddaughter Willow Grace Tabert and siblings Erma Olson and Harry David Hedin. A Celebration of Helen’s Life will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Tom Westcott officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday at the church two hours prior to the service.  Memorials can be directed to Lake Region Community College Foundation (Foughty Scholarship) or the Hope Center in Devils Lake.    
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Past Services

Celebration of Life

Friday, March 31, 2017

Starts at 5:30 pm (Central time)

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