Helen Dows

Helen Louise Dows age 94 died Thursday, October 16th in Fargo.  Formerly of the Erie-Page area Helen was the child of John and Dora McDougall and grew up in the Barney, North Dakota area.  She earned her teaching certificate from Valley City State Teachers College in 1939.  Helen married Cledith Dows in 1941 and they farmed near Erie North Dakota .  She was active with the Presbyterian Woman's group and church pianist for many years, a member of the Erie Homemakers Club, Garden Club, Senior Center and Eastern Star.  Helen also served as a 4-H leader and secretary of the Erie Cemetery Association.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, 11 brothers and sisters, husband Cledith and great-grandson Ethan Stromsborg.  She is survived by daughter Patricia Anderson of Gurnee, IL, granddaughters Michelle Miranda (John) of Orland Park IL and Melanie Anderson of Gurnee IL; son John (Marce) Dows of Erie, granddaughters  Katie Love (Mike) of Fargo,ND, Erin Dows (Matt Ruff) of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Jill Stromsborg (Eric) of Gardner, ND, Anna Overland (Mike) of Hope, ND and grandson Jonathan Dows of Erie, ND; and son Duane (Madge) Dows of Page; granddaughter Angela Dows (Nick Jess) of Las Vegas, NV, grandson Jason Dows (Angela) of Page, ND; 11 great grandchildren: Nathan Miranda, Colby, Kaleb and Preston Dows, Bradyn Love Shelby and Tyler Overland, Charlotte and Alexis Ruff, Evette Jess and Abigail Stromsborg; and an expected babyLove.