Helen Berdelia Morken

Helen Berdelia Morken, age 101 , passed away Sunday January 12, 2014 at Tweeten Healthcare Center in Spring Grove, Minnesota She was born February 29, 1912, in rural Canton, Fillmore County, to Martin and Nellie (Evenson) Stensgard. She was baptized and confirmed at the Garness Lutheran Church, near Mabel by Rev. Gerhard Frost. Her family consisted of one sister, Clara (who died at age two) and three brothers, Leland, Elmer, and Melvin. Helen attended the Grub Hill country school and then Mabel High School. When her mother became sick with cancer, Helen quit high school to care for her at their home. After two years he mother entered the old hospital in Spring Grove. On December 31, 1932, Pastor Borg Breen married Helen Stensgard and Arnold Morken at the Garness Church Parsonage. Arnold taught school in country schools until he started a business in Spring Grove. In the late 1950’s, they had a new home built next to the home they were living in. After Arnold passed away November 18, 1991. Helen continued to live in their home until June, 2002, when she moved into the Tweeten Apartments. In 2009, she moved next door to the Assisted Living at age 97. In October of 2012, she fell and broke her hip. After hip surgery in La Crosse, she moved to Tweeten Memorial Nursing Home because she needed more individual care. Helen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and various women’s groups; Bible Study, Altar Guild, Sunday School teacher, and was a member of the Hospital Club. She liked to help at the pop factory and enjoyed the outdoors, taking care of her lawn and flowers. She dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them participate in various activities. Helen is survived by two sons; Sanford (Doris) Morken and Roger Morken of Spring Grove, one daughter Darleen (John Pacovsky) of Austin, MN; nine grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren , 2 sisters-in-law ( Irene Rosaaen, and Margaret Morken) and numerous nieces and nephews In addition to her parents and her husband Arnold, she was preceded in death by an infant son Arden, sister Clara, three brothers; Leland, Elmer, and Melvin, granddaughter Kimberly, grandson Aaron, and daughter-in-law Catherine (Katy) Morken

Helen Berdelia Morken

February 29, 1912 - January 12, 2014