Helen E Rodlund

Helen E. Rodlund, 91 of Ellendale, ND died July 23, 2008 at Avera St. Lukes Hospital, Aberdeen, SD. The funeral service is 10:30am Saturday at St. Helena's Catholic Church, Ellendale with Father John Fisher Kizito officiating. Burial is at St. Helena’s Catholic Cemetery, Ellendale. Visitation is 2-8pm Friday with a prayer service at 7pm at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, North Dakota. Helen E. Rodlund, the daughter of Frank and Valeria (Manikowski) Thomas was born November 14, 1916, on the family farm near Cayuga, ND. She was educated at Geneseo, ND. Helen helped on the family farm until 1932 when she married Henry Illies. On June 24, 1939, she married Nathaniel Rodlund. After their marriage, Nathaniel and Helen made their home in Milnor, ND. Due to the nature of Nathaniel’s employment with the railroad, they moved to several locations until 1956 when they made their permanent home in Ellendale, ND. Helen worked as a cook for Walt’s Café and Hotel and did house cleaning for numerous families in Ellendale. Nathaniel died March 8, 1974. Helen continued to reside in Ellendale until her death July 23, 2008 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD. She was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church of Ellendale. Helen loved bingo, practical jokes, working with crafts, visiting the residents of the nursing home and Helen and Nathaniel both loved going to dances. Grateful to have shared in her life are four sons: Richard (LeAnn) Rodlund of Ellendale, ND, Duane Rodlund of Napoleon, ND, James (Jennie) Rodlund of Stillwater, MN, Henry (Romy) Illies of Oakes, ND; two daughters: Kathleen (Larry) Gatz of Watertown, SD, Diane (Jerry) Hammer of Aberdeen, SD; 18 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren; one sister: Dina Povlitzski of Minneapolis, MN. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Nathaniel, one son: Thomas; two brothers: Tony and Frank; three sisters: Francis, Maya and Josie; two daughters-in-law: Janice and Norma.