OBITUARY NOTICE FOR HELEN STENNES
THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN
Helen Stennes, 90, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004 at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Memorial Mass will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 10, 2004 at St. Bernards Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Father Tim McGee presiding.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Helen Katherine Kranz was born May 15, 1914, at Hastings, MN, the daughter of Charles N. and Grace E. (Rude) Kranz. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith. Helen graduated from Hastings High School in 1931 and graduated from Bemidji State University in 1933, with a degree in Elementary Education.

On September 15, 1937, Helen was united in marriage to Roy Orlin Stennes in Greenbush, MN. The couple lived on a farm 2 miles east of Strandquist, MN. Helen was an elementary school teacher at rural schools and Strandquist Public School for 30 years, retiring in 1972. She also was employed at Arctic Enterprises, Karlstad, MN from 1972 to 1974. She owned and operated the Stennes Caf in Strandquist from 1974-1976. Helen substitute taught from 1976 to 1981, when the family moved to Thief River Falls, where she resided until her death. In April of 2003, she moved into the CNC Unit of Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls.

Helen enjoyed spending time with family and friends. On March 24, 1946, she became the first president of American Legion Auxiliary Post #466 in Strandquist.

Survived by 2 daughters, Geraldine Stennes and Wendy (Terry) Lehrer, all of Thief River Falls, MN; a granddaughter, Rebecca Lehrer, Thief River Falls, MN; 4 sisters, Lucille Mienies, Cannon Falls, MN, Charlotte Sorenson, Warren, MN, Phyllis (Joe) Rensch, Oakdale, MN and Theresa (Ernest) Oistad, Karlstad, MN; 4 sisters-in-law, Adeline Stennes and Fern Kranz, both Thief River Falls, MN, Florence Rhodes, Des Moines, WA and Doris Kranz, Fargo, ND.

Preceded in death by husband, Roy, April 28, 1986, parents, brothers, Charles and Gilbert Kranz and sister, Blanche Folland.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net

ORGANIST: Sister Marguerite Streifel
SOLOIST: Shelly Burkel