Helen Ann Olson

Helen A. Olson, 97 of Devils Lake, ND formerly Churchs Ferry, ND died on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Helen will be held on Friday, April 21, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Churchs Ferry. Rev. Richard Budd will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Helen Siverson Olson was born September 3, 1908 to Osmund and Christina (Fladness) Siverson at rural Churchs Ferry. She attended rural grade school in Dry Lake Township and at Churchs Ferry, graduating from Churchs Ferry High School in 1926. She graduated from Concordia College with a B.A. Degree in history and English in 1929. She also attended summer sessions at UND at Grand Forks and University of Oregon at Eugene. She taught high school at Kensal and Brinsmade, ND and Mora, Minnesota. On October 8, 1947, Helen married William T. Olson at her farm home near Churchs Ferry where they lived for 35 years. Retiring in 1977, they moved to Devils Lake and spent winters in Mesa, Arizona for 16 years. William died April 24, 1982 on his way home at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Helen was a life member of Zion Lutheran Church and the ELCW at Churchs Ferry and an associate member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. She was a member of Sons of Norway and the Rebekah Lodge. She was a former member of Dry Lake Homemakers and Hoe & Hope Garden Club and co-leader of Jolly Jokers Boys 4-H Club. She also enjoyed raising flowers on the farm, reading, entertaining and corresponding with friends. She was a member of Salvation Army Home League in Arizona and went on all World War II War Bond Drives besides all charity drives in DeGroat Township. Helen enjoyed traveling which included 49 states, 17 countries in Europe and Mexico, the Holy Land, Greece, Turkey, a cruise on Aegean Sea, a trip to Canada to see the Dionne quintuplets when they were 5 years old, the Passion Play in Aberammagau, Germany and visiting Trinidad. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1967 on the Queen Elizabeth and returned on the S.S. France. She even crossed the North Sea by boat. Helen is survived by her Daughter-In-Law, Kathy Olson Ashe and her husband, Fred of Grand Forks, ND Grandson: William Olson also Grand Forks Nieces and a Nephew also survive. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; son, Barth Olson; an infant daughter, Carol; brothers, Menthor and Owen Siverson and sister, Nellie Field. Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Heartland Care Center, Mercy Hospital Hospice Program or the charity of your choice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com