Helen Wambheim Hagen

Helen Wambheim Hagen fought a short, yet valiant, battle with Alzheimer’s. She peacefully ended her struggle on September 7, 2016 in the Palliative Care Unit of Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND at the age of 88. Helen was born at home December 15, 1927 to Harvey and Josie Olstad Wambheim in Hatton, ND. She attended Hatton schools and in 1945 started her freshman year at Concordia College graduating in 1949. A highlight of those years was singing in the Concordia Concert Choir under the direction of Paul J. Christiansen. Helen and the choir toured Norway in 1949, a trip she always cherished.

Helen married Hilding Hagen June 4, 1950. After a year in Valley City, they moved to Moorhead where they raised their three daughters. They spent many happy years at the cabin on Bad Medicine Lake. She continued to enjoy time with her three daughters and their families at their lake cabins.
Music was her gift as well as her passion. Throughout her adult life, she attended the Concordia Christmas Concerts, often two nights in a row. She faithfully attended FM Symphony and FM Opera events. Helen was a charter member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead, MN. She sang in the church choir and remained an active member throughout her life.

Helen taught English, nursery school, Head Start, and worked with students with special needs over the course of her 50-year teaching career. Nothing made Helen smile more than children!

Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loyal friend who cherished life. She laughed easily and her sense of humor never failed her. This trait was demonstrated in her final days in the hospital when she said, “Everything about me is fun!” She truly enjoyed attending concerts, athletic events and all things Cobber-related with friends.
Helen is survived by her daughters: Mary Glen Follett of Bad Medicine Lake; Jan Rod Larson of St. Louis Park, MN; and Barb Rolf Christiansen of Bad Medicine Lake; grandchildren: Charley Angela Follett, Laura Follett-Larson Derek Larson, Anna Kyle Hettenbaugh, Sally Scott Hagen, Scott Nimlos, and David Bergen Nimlos. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Lydia and Peter Follett, Drew and Luke Hettenbaugh, and Cameron and Gabriel Hagen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Wambheim; sister, Cathy Rykken; brothers-in-law, Thor Rykken, James Hagen, Richard Hagen, and Jerome Jevning; and sister-in-law, Solveig Jevning

The family wishes to thank Helen’s dear friends, the staff of Garden Square at Eventide/Fairmont, and the Palliative Care Unit at Sanford for their kindness and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, Helen’s family suggests memorials to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and the Concordia College Music Department.

Memorial Service will be Friday, September 16, at 2:00 P.M., at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4000 S. 28th St., Moorhead, MN.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial in the Prairie Home Cemetery Columbarium, Moorhead, MN.