Helen Vallager

Helen was born March 28, 1919 in Fargo, ND to Robert and Sarah (Olson) Johnson. She grew up in Fargo and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1936. She attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in dietetics in 1940. Following a one year internship in Cincinnati, Ohio she was married to Emil Vallager on June 1, 1942 in Fargo.
Emil was deployed in the US Army and Helen returned to Cincinnati until his honorable discharge in 1945. The couple then moved to Langdon, ND until 1955 when they moved to Wahpeton, ND where they raised their two boys John and Jim. Helen began teaching nutrition and diet therapy in 1956 at North Dakota State School of Science and retired in 1980.
In 1993 she became a 50 year member of the American Dietetic Association and in 1997 a 50 year member of O.E.S. (Order of the Eastern Star) and P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization) Sisterhood. Helen enjoyed many pastimes, but her favorites included traveling, reading, crossword puzzles and crafting. She was a faithful member of Bethel Lutheran Church.
Helen was devoted to her family and cherished her role as wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She is survived by her son John and his wife Jan of Crookston, MN; daughter-in-law Priscilla Vallager of Fargo, ND; granddaughters Kris (Brad) Sufka of Minot, ND; and Kari (Tim) Moe of Fisher, MN; grandsons Joshua Vallager of Fargo, ND and Jerrod Vallager of Minneapolis, MN; and great grandchildren Jenna Sufka, Jacob Sufka and Colton Vallager; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Emil and son Jim; brother Robert Johnson; sisters Bernice Collins and Lillian Archibald.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home and RiverView Health in Crookston for their excellent care and compassion these past ten months.

In lieu of flowers, Helen's family asks that memorials be given to Bethel Lutheran Church or Villa St. Vincent Heated Entry Project.