1924
Helen
2014
Helen Vangen
June 11, 1924 — December 3, 2014
There will be a visitation for Helen Augusta Carolina Vangen of Cyrus, MN on Monday, December 8, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris.
Helen Augusta Carolina Vangen, daughter of Fred and Emilie (Dallman) Belau, was born Wednesday, June 11, 1924 to German Immigrant parents in Akeley, MN. Mum grew up working on the family farm in Northern Minnesota. Work was hard and difficult during those years. The family primarily spoke German and one of the fond memories I have of mum was when we were all young children, mum and her sisters would visit together and speak German so that the 'kids' didn't know what they said about us. The fun part was as the years went by we all began learning the language and what they were saying so they would joke that they needed to learn another language!
Mum worked her early years in California at the naval shipyards and would share many interesting stories of her and dad's work and life in California. On July 20, 1944, she was united in marriage to Edward Vangen in Reno, NV. The couple moved back to Minnesota to be closer to their families.
Mum had to be a strong-willed, determined, caring and loving young woman to raise three children when dad died early in their marriage. She had to deal with the many challenges that arose in a world full of difficulties and discrimination for a single woman as a head of household during a time when that was not the norm. Mum did a great job and all of her children grew up to be very strong, caring, compassionate, determined and self-sufficient Christian adults.
Mum had many difficult years surviving the deaths of her daughter, Marjorie and her son, Kenneth. It took great fortitude and tenacity to continue working and helping and caring for others during those emotionally painful and difficult times. Just a few years ago she suddenly lost her only grandson, Ronnie, whom she had become very close to. They became great friends and traveled a lot together. Both of them loved discovering new restaurants and had a love of beautiful flower gardens and arboretums.
Mum lost many of her sisters and brothers which was hard for her and last week her older sister Minnie went to be with the Lord.
The joy I hold in my heart is that now I see Mum with her parents, brothers, sisters, children, grandson, aunts, uncles, In-laws and many, many friends, having a joyous celebration together in Heaven rejoicing in God's love.
Mum worked for many years in the food industry. She worked full time and put herself through Cosmetology and Floral school. She was very talented artistically creating beautiful hair styles for women, beautiful floral arrangements and planting wonderful, colorful flower gardens. She had the talent and ability to design patterns and crochet or knit the most incredible garments with thread or yarn that were breathtaking in their beauty.
Mum had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader of the Bible, natural remedies, herbs, flowers, cooking and patterns. If you had an ailment that wouldn't heal, mum would suggest a natural remedy for you to try. Many people have told me things she would suggest to them and how well they worked. She became a walking encyclopedia in these areas. She will be missed by many.
Family and friends were always so important to Mum. It was extremely difficult for her when she needed to stop driving the past couple of years due to her physical pain. Before that it wasn't uncommon for mum to get in her car in the morning and make a road trip to anywhere. In later years many of her trips were exclusive to Minnesota but prior to that she loved to drive all over the US. She would just pull out a map and go. She was an adventurer. Mum also lost her little 4-legged companion Dolly last year. She was a sweet 4 pound Chihuahua that mum put into her purse and took everywhere with her. Her passing was so difficult because mum became very lonely without her 'little Dolly' there with her all the time.
Mum's health was always good. She was rarely ill and hardly saw a doctor. She suffered a heart attack after Ronnie's death and a few years back she had difficulty with one hip. She chose not to do surgery on her hip at her age. Just this summer she had surgery on her eyes for cataracts and enjoyed watching all the birds outside. She would spend hours just watching them and calling me over to the window to look at what they were doing. She began having problems with her good leg and experiencing debilitating pain. Life became more difficult as she needed a wheelchair to get around. It was very hard for this strong independent woman to depend upon everyone for help when she wanted to do everything herself. Mum left us quickly. She went to a nursing home for rehabilitation and was going to move to an assisted living facility. She told me she was tired and she wanted to go home for Christmas. Every day over the past few weeks were so difficult for mum as her physical pain became worse. Every part of her body hurt and nothing relieved it and touching her was torturous to her. As I sat with mum while she slept she went on her most exciting and glorious adventure to Heaven. I will miss her so much and it will take forever to fill this emptiness and ache in my heart. My joy is that she is with God and no longer in pain.
Mum wanted her body cremated and her ashes placed at specific places with her grandson's and those wishes will be fulfilled
I want to share a writing I found when I was at Mum's apartment with everyone. Mum's faith in God and beliefs were very strong and we spoke of life and service to each other and God often. When I read this I could see Mum's hands in my mind as it clearly described them. This is how Mum lived her life.
"The Praying Hands" by Helen Steiner Rice
The "Praying Hands" are much, much more than just a work of art,
They are the "soul's creation" of a deeply thankful heart
They are a PRICELESS MASTERPIECE that love alone could paint,
And they reveal the SELFLESSNESS of an unheralded saint
These hands so scarred and toil worn, tell the story of a man
Who sacrificed his talent in accordance with God's Plan
For in God's Plan are many things man cannot understand,
But we must trust God's judgment and be guided by His Hand
Sometimes He asks us to give up our dreams of happiness,
Sometimes we must forego our hopes of fortune and success
Not all of us can triumph or rise to heights of fame,
And many times WHAT should be OURS, goes to ANOTHER NAME
But he who makes a sacrifice, so another may succeed,
Is indeed a true disciple of our blessed Savior's creed
For when we "give ourselves away" in sacrifice and love,
We are "laying up rich treasures" in God's kingdom up above
And hidden in gnarled, toil worn hands is the truest ART OF LIVING,
Achieved alone by those who've learned
The 'VICTORY OF GIVING'
For any sacrifice on earth,
Assures the GIVER of a PLACE
In HEAVEN'S HALL OF FAME
And who can say with certainty
WHERE THE GREATEST TALENT LIES, OR WHO WILL BE
THE GREATEST IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S EYES!
Helen died on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck. She was 90 years old.
She is survived by her daughter: Marie Vangen (Ronald Louks); four grandchildren: Vanessa Louks, Tiffany Louks, Kyle Louks and Kelsey (James) O'Sell; three great-grandchildren Elizabeth Nelson, Cody Louks and Azalea O'Sell and one sister: Ella (Eddy) Fautsch. She was preceded in death by her husband; two children: Kenneth Vangen and Marjorie Vangen; one grandchild: Ronnie Louks; two brothers: Harry Belau and William Belau and two sisters: Mary Clark and Minnie Bakker.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS MEMORIALS TO THE LUTHERAN HOUR.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Helen Augusta Carolina Vangen, daughter of Fred and Emilie (Dallman) Belau, was born Wednesday, June 11, 1924 to German Immigrant parents in Akeley, MN. Mum grew up working on the family farm in Northern Minnesota. Work was hard and difficult during those years. The family primarily spoke German and one of the fond memories I have of mum was when we were all young children, mum and her sisters would visit together and speak German so that the 'kids' didn't know what they said about us. The fun part was as the years went by we all began learning the language and what they were saying so they would joke that they needed to learn another language!
Mum worked her early years in California at the naval shipyards and would share many interesting stories of her and dad's work and life in California. On July 20, 1944, she was united in marriage to Edward Vangen in Reno, NV. The couple moved back to Minnesota to be closer to their families.
Mum had to be a strong-willed, determined, caring and loving young woman to raise three children when dad died early in their marriage. She had to deal with the many challenges that arose in a world full of difficulties and discrimination for a single woman as a head of household during a time when that was not the norm. Mum did a great job and all of her children grew up to be very strong, caring, compassionate, determined and self-sufficient Christian adults.
Mum had many difficult years surviving the deaths of her daughter, Marjorie and her son, Kenneth. It took great fortitude and tenacity to continue working and helping and caring for others during those emotionally painful and difficult times. Just a few years ago she suddenly lost her only grandson, Ronnie, whom she had become very close to. They became great friends and traveled a lot together. Both of them loved discovering new restaurants and had a love of beautiful flower gardens and arboretums.
Mum lost many of her sisters and brothers which was hard for her and last week her older sister Minnie went to be with the Lord.
The joy I hold in my heart is that now I see Mum with her parents, brothers, sisters, children, grandson, aunts, uncles, In-laws and many, many friends, having a joyous celebration together in Heaven rejoicing in God's love.
Mum worked for many years in the food industry. She worked full time and put herself through Cosmetology and Floral school. She was very talented artistically creating beautiful hair styles for women, beautiful floral arrangements and planting wonderful, colorful flower gardens. She had the talent and ability to design patterns and crochet or knit the most incredible garments with thread or yarn that were breathtaking in their beauty.
Mum had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader of the Bible, natural remedies, herbs, flowers, cooking and patterns. If you had an ailment that wouldn't heal, mum would suggest a natural remedy for you to try. Many people have told me things she would suggest to them and how well they worked. She became a walking encyclopedia in these areas. She will be missed by many.
Family and friends were always so important to Mum. It was extremely difficult for her when she needed to stop driving the past couple of years due to her physical pain. Before that it wasn't uncommon for mum to get in her car in the morning and make a road trip to anywhere. In later years many of her trips were exclusive to Minnesota but prior to that she loved to drive all over the US. She would just pull out a map and go. She was an adventurer. Mum also lost her little 4-legged companion Dolly last year. She was a sweet 4 pound Chihuahua that mum put into her purse and took everywhere with her. Her passing was so difficult because mum became very lonely without her 'little Dolly' there with her all the time.
Mum's health was always good. She was rarely ill and hardly saw a doctor. She suffered a heart attack after Ronnie's death and a few years back she had difficulty with one hip. She chose not to do surgery on her hip at her age. Just this summer she had surgery on her eyes for cataracts and enjoyed watching all the birds outside. She would spend hours just watching them and calling me over to the window to look at what they were doing. She began having problems with her good leg and experiencing debilitating pain. Life became more difficult as she needed a wheelchair to get around. It was very hard for this strong independent woman to depend upon everyone for help when she wanted to do everything herself. Mum left us quickly. She went to a nursing home for rehabilitation and was going to move to an assisted living facility. She told me she was tired and she wanted to go home for Christmas. Every day over the past few weeks were so difficult for mum as her physical pain became worse. Every part of her body hurt and nothing relieved it and touching her was torturous to her. As I sat with mum while she slept she went on her most exciting and glorious adventure to Heaven. I will miss her so much and it will take forever to fill this emptiness and ache in my heart. My joy is that she is with God and no longer in pain.
Mum wanted her body cremated and her ashes placed at specific places with her grandson's and those wishes will be fulfilled
I want to share a writing I found when I was at Mum's apartment with everyone. Mum's faith in God and beliefs were very strong and we spoke of life and service to each other and God often. When I read this I could see Mum's hands in my mind as it clearly described them. This is how Mum lived her life.
"The Praying Hands" by Helen Steiner Rice
The "Praying Hands" are much, much more than just a work of art,
They are the "soul's creation" of a deeply thankful heart
They are a PRICELESS MASTERPIECE that love alone could paint,
And they reveal the SELFLESSNESS of an unheralded saint
These hands so scarred and toil worn, tell the story of a man
Who sacrificed his talent in accordance with God's Plan
For in God's Plan are many things man cannot understand,
But we must trust God's judgment and be guided by His Hand
Sometimes He asks us to give up our dreams of happiness,
Sometimes we must forego our hopes of fortune and success
Not all of us can triumph or rise to heights of fame,
And many times WHAT should be OURS, goes to ANOTHER NAME
But he who makes a sacrifice, so another may succeed,
Is indeed a true disciple of our blessed Savior's creed
For when we "give ourselves away" in sacrifice and love,
We are "laying up rich treasures" in God's kingdom up above
And hidden in gnarled, toil worn hands is the truest ART OF LIVING,
Achieved alone by those who've learned
The 'VICTORY OF GIVING'
For any sacrifice on earth,
Assures the GIVER of a PLACE
In HEAVEN'S HALL OF FAME
And who can say with certainty
WHERE THE GREATEST TALENT LIES, OR WHO WILL BE
THE GREATEST IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S EYES!
Helen died on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck. She was 90 years old.
She is survived by her daughter: Marie Vangen (Ronald Louks); four grandchildren: Vanessa Louks, Tiffany Louks, Kyle Louks and Kelsey (James) O'Sell; three great-grandchildren Elizabeth Nelson, Cody Louks and Azalea O'Sell and one sister: Ella (Eddy) Fautsch. She was preceded in death by her husband; two children: Kenneth Vangen and Marjorie Vangen; one grandchild: Ronnie Louks; two brothers: Harry Belau and William Belau and two sisters: Mary Clark and Minnie Bakker.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS MEMORIALS TO THE LUTHERAN HOUR.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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