Helen Chervestad, 86, died on Monday, March 7, 2011 at Freedom Living Center in Oklee, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 11, 2011 at Oak Park Lutheran Church, Oklee, MN with Rev. Joseph Abrahamson officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery, Oklee, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Tim Lundeen officiating. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Friday at the church.

Helen Theresa Evenson was born on November 1, 1924 the daughter of Knute and Signe (Ofte) Evenson in Aneta, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Mayfield Twp., Pennington County, MN. Helen attended school in District 39, Pennington County, MN and graduated from Lincoln High School the class of 1943 in Thief River Falls. She worked at Dahles Bakery, was a waitress at the Palm Garden Caf and was a cashier at Red Owl in Thief River Falls. She also worked at the River Valley Store where she met her future husband, Orlando.

Helen was united in marriage to Orlando Chervestad at the Oak Park Parsonage in Deer Park Township, rural Oklee on November 4, 1944. They spent a short time in Burbank, CA in 1951. The couple lived and farmed their entire life in Deer Park Township, Pennington County, MN. Orlando died in 1988.

Helen enjoyed being a wife and mother and raising their children. Helen and her husband opened their home to several Pleasant View District 34 teachers and over 50 foster children. She enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid supporter of all their activities. She was a caregiver for Orlandos mother and her Mom and Dad. Helen also loved her flower gardening.

Helen was very active in the community and many organizations. She was a member of Oak Park Lutheran Church and was active in the church and Ladies Aid. She organized the Deer Park Garden Club, was 4-H Leader for many years and was a member of the Homemakers.

Helen and Orlando were active in politics and Farmers Union activities. She was president of the Oklee Setesdal Laget. She wrote the River Valley News for the Oklee Herald and Thief River Falls newspapers for many years. She enjoyed making wedding cakes and flower arrangements. Helen served on the Inter County Board where she focused her efforts with the Community Education Development Association (C.E.D.A.), she was also active with the Pennington County Historical Society.

They received the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award in 1977, Rural Farm Beautification Award in 1974; Helen was Pennington County Farm Woman of the Year in 1988 and was Senior Citizen of the Year. She enjoyed attending Norsk Hostfest and made a few trips to Norway to visit relatives. In 2009 she moved to First Care Nursing Home in Fosston, MN and June 2010 moved to the Freedom Living Center in Oklee.

Survivors include her children, Korydon (Carol) Chervestad, Lana (Brad) Nelson of Oklee, MN, Barbara (Gary) Anderson of Thief River Falls, MN and Robert Flaten of Oklee, MN; grandchildren, Aaron (Jill) Chervestad, Abigail (Tom) Stueness, Angela (Shannon) Lundeen, Ryan Nelson, Kyle (Kim) Nelson, Quinten (Alyssa) Nelson, Tyler Nelson, Brent (Megan) Nelson, Christopher (fianc, Stephanie Anderson) Nelson, Lisa, Richie, Aaron, & Crystal Anderson; great grandchildren, Mariah, Morgan and Madison Stueness, Owen & Alexa Chervestad, Nolan & Parker Lundeen, Madelynn Nelson, Kjerstin, Kehan, Ashlyn, Eli & Ellie Nelson, Alex & Layton Fuentes, Makayla Amunderes; sister, Ethel Wiseth of McIntosh, MN; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Orlando; infant son; parents; granddaughter, Adeline Chervestad; and brother-in-law, Robert Wiseth.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Gelene Lundeen
SPECIAL MUSIC: Helens Great grandchildren Jesus Loves me accompanied by Pastor Abrahamson
SPECIAL MUSIC: Jared Hofstad ________________
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art & Amazing Grace
PALLBEARERS: Helens Grandchildren
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Helens Great grandchildren