Helen Evangeline Nord

Paul Strandberg sends this obituary from the Echo: classmate Gloria Nord Doran's mother. Our sympathies to the family.

Helen Evangeline Nord, 86, died August 10, 2006 at Community Memorial Home in Osakis.

Helen was born March 9, 1920 in Kandiyohi to Adolf William “A.W.” and Melvina (Peterson) Chalberg. She attended country school and was confirmed and sang in the choir at Tripolis Church in Kandiyohi. She helped on the family farm and also worked at a bakery in Willmar.

She married Alvin A. Nord on June 22, 1941. Following their marriage they moved to San Diego, California for two years, before returning to the St. Cloud area. In 1957, they relocated to Alexandria where they lived and raised their family. They retired to the Osakis area in the late 1980s.

She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Osakis and a former member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Besides being a homemaker for her husband and seven children, she managed a retail store for many years, worked as a waitress at area cafes and helped her husband build a home on Lake Oscar.

She enjoyed music, singing, fishing, playing bingo, flea markets and wintering in New Mexico. She treasured spending time with her children and their families. Her ready smile, wonderful sense of humor and kind, loving heart will be missed by many.

She is survived by her seven children, Darlene (Chet) Longaker of Stanwood, Washington, Wayne Nord of Alexandria, Gloria (Frank) Doran of Sauk Rapids, Ronald (Lynda) Nord of St. Peter, David (Cheri) Nord of Racine, Wisconsin, Kathryn (Reginald) Redetzke of St. Cloud, and Linda (Alan) South of Hewitt; a sister, Marilyn Egge of Hamilton, Montana; 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Alvin, in 1992; and five brothers, Reynold, Wilton, Lowell, Vernon and Donald Chalberg.

Funeral services were held August 14 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Osakis with the Rev. Allan Craig officiating. Music was provided by organist, Ethelyn Stahl and vocalists, the Rev. Allan Craig and the Nord Brothers. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery in Osakis.

Pallbearers were Wade Ley, Todd Ley, Shane Nord, Jade Nord, Derek Johnson and Dana Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were Jeff Longaker, Dale Longaker, Tammy Nord, Jeanette Nord, Katie Wilson, Amber Nord, Anne Redetzke, Kim Redetzke, Stephanie Thompson, Sandra Johnson and Breanna Kimber.