Helen Steffen

Helen Margret Steffen passed away Oct 23,2017 at the age of 99 and peacefully entered into eternal life at Bethany on University in Fargo. Helen was born June 12, 1918 on a farm NE of Bowbells, ND to Albert and Olena Hass. Helen’s family lived there until she was 11 years old when her dad bought a farm 9 miles NE of Bowbells. On June 17, 1936 Helen married Francis(Stub) Steffen who lived on a farm 2 ½ miles E of her home place. They lived at several places until buying a farm NE of Bowbells in 1945. In 1957, they bought and lived in their home in Bowbells. In 2004, Helen sold the home and moved to Fargo. They had a love the spanned 50+ years until Francis passed away from cancer on 1/29/88. Helen spent many years traveling with her children of which, Las Vegas and Branson were some of her favorites. She also looked forward to attending the Norsk Hostfest each year until her health forced her to retire from those trips. She loved listening to Bjoro Haaland and classic country music and had a strong faith like no other. Helen lived on her own until July 2013 when she went to the nursing home at Bethany. Helen and Francis had four children Joe, Sal, Jeff and Kathy. They farmed in the Bowbells area. Helen was a very active member of the Bowbells community where she was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church serving as president of the Altar Society and teaching religious education classes. She loved bowling and served as secretary for both men’s and women’s leagues. She bowled many years until the lanes closed down. She was also a member of the Bowbells and Flaxton Senior Citizens and Women’s American Legion. She loved playing pinochle, baking and most of all spending time with family and friends. She also shared many good times and road trips with her best friend Marion and thoroughly enjoyed going to any community activities she could especially basketball games. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities through the years as long as she was able. She was known best for her kind and caring heart and a smile that could light up a room. She truly lived by the Golden Rule and will continue to be an inspiration to others. When she moved to Fargo she became a member of St. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church. During her time at Bethany, she could have been the Nursing Home President as she was well known for the same things that so many others from Bowbells and surrounding areas knew of her and that was that she was a true treasure to be around. She found joy in helping where she could, playing BINGO, and being active in as many activities as she could until her health would no longer allow. She surrounded herself with some great friends and one very special nurse in Jerry that went above and beyond for her throughout her time there. Outings with family were always a special time and ones that brought that infamous smile to her face. She will always be remembered as a loving, caring person who was loved by everyone that met her. She is preceded in death by her husband Stub, son Jeff, sister Pauline(Tootie) Pedersen, brothers, Alvin Hass, Raymond Hass, Bennie Hass, Victor Hass and great grandson, Jordan Vaagen. She is survived by son Joseph Steffen, Bismarck, daughter Sally (Boyde) Galgerud, Papillion, NE and Phoenix, AZ and Kathy (Jim) Bonnichsen, Fargo, sister-in- law Margie Hass, Minot, ND, 12 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials go to the St. Joseph’s Church of Bowbells , Bowbells Swimming Pool or mailed to 1509 34 ½ Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104. Helen’s Memorial and funeral will be at St. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo at 2pm on Friday Oct 27 in the Magnificat Chapel. Burial will be at the Bowbells Catholic Cemetary at a later date.