Helen Stenseth, Thief River Falls, MN, age 91, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Oakland Park Senior Living in Thief River Falls.

Funeral Service will be Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 10:30 AM in Bethany Lutheran Church rural Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Philip Johnson Officiating. Burial will be held at the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls and also one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Helen Hanson was born Dec. 29, 1924 at home in New Solum Township, MN, the daughter of Hans E. and Olga Hanson.  She was baptized and confirmed at Rindahl Lutheran Church, New Solum Township. She attended grades 1 through 6, in Bellingham, WA, then moved back to Thief River Falls, MN to finish 6 th ,7 th and 8 th grade at the Busy Bee School.  Helen attended Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls, graduating in 1943.  She then went to work in the Bakery at Hartz Grocery Store, Thief River Falls.

In 1945, Helen was united in marriage to Melvin Stenseth and to this union 4 children were born; Carol, Richard, Mark and Jerry.  In December, 1969 she wed Maurice Stenseth, the couple lived and farmed in Smiley Township.

Helen was a teacher's aide at Washington School for 20 years.  She loved gardening, making quilts, table runners, baking buns, bread, pies and lefsa. Upon retiring Helen and Maurice enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Friends and neighbors would stop by for a visit as she would always have the coffee pot on, along with homemade goodies.  Helen's greatest pleasure was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church, taught Sunday school and participated in Ladies Aid.

She is survived her husband Maurice Stenseth of Thief River Falls, MN; children Carol (John) Wroblewski of Oak Grove, MN, Rick (Debi) Stenseth of Moorhead, MN and Mark (Sheila) Stenseth of Thief River Falls, MN, daughter-in-law Patricia Stenseth of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren Scott (Jodi) Wroblewski, Jim (Angie) Wroblewski, Brian (Amy) Stenseth, Kim (Mike) (Stenseth) Blythe, Jill Williams, Ashley (Dusty) (Stenseth) Arlt, DeAnna (Judd) (Stenseth) Alby, Jeanene (Bill) (Stenseth) Stanley, Sarah (Keith) (Stenseth) Robinson, Josh (special friend Beth Erickson) Stenseth and Becca (Fiancé Patrick Barry) Stenseth; great-grandchildren  Dominique, Brody, Samantha, Teresa, Tabitha, Jerimiah, Noah, Kasey, Blake, Ayana, Jace, Oliver, Blake, Kumari, Hunter, Sophia, Kylie, Brenna, Logan, Lucas, Jace, Amya, and Jace; siblings Dorothy (Marv) Erickson, David (Jan) Hanson, Judy (John) Vosika; along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin Stenseth; son Jerry Stenseth; brothers Elsworth "Bud" Hanson, Duane Hanson; sister Elizabeth Ivallie; grandson Cory Stenseth.

CASKETBEARERS: Brian Stenseth, Josh Stenseth, Jim Wroblewski, Scott Wroblewski, Sarah Robinson, Kim Blythe, DeAnna Alby, Jeanene Stanley, Ashley Arlt and Becca Stenseth

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: My sons and daughter: Mark Stenseth, Richard Stenseth and Carol Wroblewski