To view the livestream of the Celebration of Helen's life and Mass of Christian Burial, please visit: Visitation

Mass Pt. 1 Mass Pt 2

Helen M. Hansen , 95, of Grand Forks, ND passed away peacefully Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Valley Memorial Transitional Care Unit in Grand Forks, where the Lord called her to her Heavenly home.

Helen Magdalene Ziegler, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Schafer) Ziegler, was born November 28, 1925 on the farm in Devils Lake, ND. She attended school at the Noonan Township Country School and was a 1943 graduate of Central High in Devils Lake, ND.

When World War II began, Helen and her sister, Lena, moved to Seattle, Washington to work for Boeing Aircraft. She wired the control jack-boxes for the airplanes until the war ended. Helen then returned to Devils Lake where she met the love of her life, Robert J. Hansen. They were united in marriage on October 8, 1946 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Devil's Lake, ND.  Following their marriage, they farmed in the Webster- Edmore, ND area and Robert was employed as a part-time carpenter in Devil's Lake. In 1957 they moved to Grand Forks where Robert was employed for the Grand Forks Air Force Base and they raised their family.

Helen was employed by the Red Owl Store, S&H Green Stamps, Interstate Brands Corporation, and Myre's Fashions in Grand Forks, ND.  She was a life-long member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a member of the Alter Society and the Red Hat Society. Helen loved to play cards and there was no such a thing as coming in second! She loved her family and her German heritage and loved visiting and seeing all her sisters and brothers and her numerous nieces and nephews and extended relatives. She looked forward to family reunions and get togethers and loved hosting family visits and taking 1001 pictures! Helen was a lifelong cheerleader as she attended all her son's basketball games in High School, college and professionally as well as all her grandchildren's sporting events and concerts. She could be seen and heard cheering from the crowds and we always knew she was present.  She had a great sense of adventure and she was always planning for her next family get together during anticipated holidays. She was a fabulous cook and was known for her 'watermelon and noodles' that her family could never get enough of and who everyone tried to duplicate as best they could. Helen was a fashionista and wherever she went she looked beautiful and her presence was always well received and welcomed as she became everyone's 'Grandma Helen.' She liked to gamble occasionally and was always looking for a trip to the casino where she was as lucky on the slots as she was at cards never ceasing to amaze us!  Helen was the family historian and knew every family member and their life stories and these times will always be remembered and treasured.

She is survived by her sons, Bruce Hansen, Greeley, CO, Durwood (Barbara) Hansen, Thermopolis, WY, Glenn (Bridgie) Hansen, Grand Forks, ND, Mark (Deb) Hansen Kemmerer, WY; a daughter, Cindy (Terry) Carlson, Locust Grove, VA; sister-in-law, Hazel (Ray) Gores, Tacoma, WA; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Mary; her  husband of 62 years, Robert; a great infant granddaughter, Maddin Marie Blair; sisters, Catherine Kraft (Pete) Englehart, Eva(Pete) Senger, Marie (Mal) Gette, Eugenia (John)Busby, Delores Zeigler, Lena (Thomas) Bertsch, (Bill) Frith; brothers, Joe (Lucy), George (Irma), Jake (Viola), John (Alice), and Edward Ziegler in infancy; sisters-in-laws, Elouise (George) Lauinger and Mary (Kenneth) Solseth.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Joseph Social Care or plant a tree in her memory!

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2021 in St, Mary's Catholic Church, 216 Belmont Road, Grand Forks, ND with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.  one hour prior to the service. To view the livestream Mass of Christian Burial, please visit https://www.facebook.com/normanfuneralhomechapel/ . Following the Celebration of Helen's life, lunch will be served with all of Helen's requested favorites!

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2021 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel. 2950 South Washington St., Grand Forks, N.D.   Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Saturday.

Due to COVID-19 concerns social distancing and masks are required during the visitation and funeral Mass.

To view the prayer service and Celebration of Helen's life , please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/normanfuneralhomechapel/

Burial: Will be in the spring at the North Dakota Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Mandan, ND.