Helen Childs

Helen N. Childs, 93, Fargo, ND, formerly of Colfax, ND passed away peacefully at Elim Nursing Home, Fargo, on Thursday, June 19, 2014. Funeral services will be on Monday, June 23, at 2:00 PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Colfax, ND with Rev. Dan Forsberg officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, ND. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Wahpeton, ND.

Helen was born on March 14, 1921 at the Gunness Farm south of Abercrombie, ND. She was one of six girls and four boys born to Ole N. and Mathea (Berghagen) Gunness. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Abercrombie. She graduated from Abercrombie High School and then went on to get her teaching degree at Moorhead State College and Valley City State College. She then taught grades 1-8 at the Strand, Eagle Township, and Walcott Schools during her early years. Later she returned to teach kindergarten along with her sister, Myrtle Gauslow in Galchutt and Abercrombie. Helen married Eugene W. Childs on April 8, 1944 and the couple made their home on the farm west of Colfax where Gene farmed until 1986. They raised two sons, Larry and Bradley.

Helen was very active both at Emmanuel and Our Savior's Lutheran Church. She was a member of WELCA, and taught Sunday School for many years. She also volunteered for the community cancer drive, heart fund, and Easter Seals. She was a kind and loving person and often made herself available to help family and friends in any way she could. Gene and Helen took part in the Secret Grandparents program at the Richland School, and loved attending all the games, concerts, and community events. She loved her flowers, gardening, canning, and baking. They also loved to travel and took many trips in their years together.

Helen is survived by her children, Larry (Linda) Childs, West Fargo, ND, Bradley (Sheila) Childs, Ottertail, MN; her grandchildren, Donna (Brian) Hale, Antelope, CA, Janet (Charlie) Perreault, Savage, MN, Dennis Cullen, West Fargo, ND, Joelle (Kelby) Herman, Wayne, NE, Darci (Todd) Sauvageau, Forest Lake, MN, Kylie (Jamie) Preusse, Lakeville, MN; her eleven great-grandchildren; her brother, Arne (Betty) Gunness, Alexandria, MN; her sister, Norma Grenier, Wahpeton, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Eugene W. Childs, her brothers, Melvin (Fern) Gunness, Clarence (Helen) Gunness, John (Ione) Gunness, her sisters, Olga (Ben) Vangsness, Esther (Wallace) Nelson, Anne (Ken) Stow, Myrtle (Andy) Gauslow, and her brother-in-law, Chester Grenier.