HALLOCK, Minn. - Helen J. Backlund - 89, Hallock, died at Kittson Memorial Nursing Home on Saturday, December 16, 2006.
Helen Jeanette (Sunderland) Backlund was born May 17, 1917, to Andrew and Hilma (Hagen) Sunderland in Northcote. She attended school in Northcote and Hallock. As a teenager she went to work on the farm of Edward and Anna (Lund) Younggren. The children from that family, Harley, Larry, and Marlyce, remained close to her throughout her life.
Helen's future husband, Folke Backlund, a cousin of the Lund family, arrived to work on that same farm when he arrived from Sweden. On Dec. 18, 1940 Helen and Folke were married. They made their home in Orleans. Throughout her life Helen recalled those early days in Orleans with great affection. Their daughter, Karen Louise, was born in Orleans, to the happiness of the whole community.
The family moved to Hallock in 1956.
Helen was talented with needle work, sewing, tapestry, and crochet being her favorite. She created a lovely home and was a gracious hostess, offering coffee and baked treats to friends and neighbors who arrived for a visit. From the time she was a young girl at home she lovingly cared for many children, her young brothers and sisters, the three children from her working days, and her daughter. She entertained them with her guitar and singing. Two more children were brought into her fold in later years, Kimberly Peterson Siegmund and Michael Otterson. They were all in her heart until the end of her life.
Helen was a member of the Presbyterian Churches in Northcote, Orleans and Hallock, especially enjoying the Northcote Ladies Aide group. She was a member of the church choir and the Presbyterian Bells in Hallock.
Family members include her daughter, Karen Backlund of Hallock; sister, Mae Czuba of Chicago, brother Leslie Sunderland, of Hallock; two special nephews, Wayne Westerson of Grand Junction, Co. and Gary Czuba of Chicago; cousins Harold (Florence) Hagen of Northcote, Helen Kalamar and Delphine (Leonard) Olson of Warren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Folke, brothers Elliott, Raymond,
Stanley, Arlie John and Luvern, and sisters Evelyn Westerson and Loraine Schroeder and nephew Lyndon Westerson.
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, Hallock.
Visitation will be at the church for one hour before services on Wednesday. Austin-Hughes Funeral Home Hallock.