Helen Elizabeth Hansen

Helen's service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/840561674

Her tribute video may be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/GGRY78S65S7YWPK7

Helen Elizabeth (Vosper) Hansen

Helen Elizabeth Hansen passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023 while residing at Bethany on 42nd, Skilled Care. Helen Elizabeth Vosper was born July 21, 1928, on the family farm, in Neche, ND. She was the youngest daughter of Fred and Nellie Vosper. She grew up in Neche and graduated from Neche High School in 1946 as valedictorian and was active in band, playing the cornet and as a cheerleader. She loved the years she spent on the farm, especially the animals!

She attended Jamestown College and received a two-year degree, then continued her education at Interstate Business College in Fargo, where her teacher lined up her first job with the Cass County Treasurer's Office because of her outstanding typing skills.

While living in Fargo, she caught the eye of Gordon D. Hansen, a handsome NDAC student at the Venice Garden Club, a local hot spot that offered live bands and dancing between Moorhead and Dilworth. Helen married Gordon, of Valley City, ND, on March 24, 1951. They spent their first married years in Neche, then moved on to Dickinson, ND, where they started their family: son Brian and then daughter Claudia. They spent a year in Billings, MT, before moving to Grand Forks, ND, where Gordon worked for Lockwood Graders. Gordon was transferred to Tulelake, CA, so off they went to sunny CA, where they lived for six years. This was where son Roger was born - the only one in the family that was not born in ND!

From there, they went international and moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada for two years (a great experience) and finally landed back in Fargo, ND the summer of 1968.

In Fargo, Helen was very active in her church, First Presbyterian of Fargo. She was an Elder, Deacon and held several offices of the Presbyterian Women. She was also assisted in starting the women's circle groups and was part of the church's Stephen's ministry. Being a part of one of the area's PEO organizations, AE chapter, Helen created friendships and a support group that was second to none.

She started working at R & G Bootery downtown in 1968 but began her true career with the Fargo Clinic in July of 1970. She spent the next 23 ½ years working first as an Assistant Bookkeeper and then as their Administrative Secretary for the Clinic managers. She retired from the clinic on December 30th, 1993.

As Helen worked full time and Gordon was often on the road four days a week, she was very organized. The kids had their daily chores, which were put on lists each morning on the kitchen counter. She was really BIG into lists!

The kids understood early on that being a part of a family meant everyone had responsibilities. She rarely had to raise her voice to us, but if we saw that eyebrow go up, the kids knew that she meant business and to just get to it!

Helen loved to entertain family and friends at home but also loved to go to any kind of gathering or event.

She loved being with people and could work a room better than any politician! She rarely went empty-handed, whether it was a gift, a plate of bars, or one of her meringue pies. She made the best pie crusts!

Helen loved to play bridge - it was at the top of her list. She made many fast and dear friends through many bridge clubs. She also loved traveling and did it often with Gordon and friends. After Gordon passed in 1990, she took cruises and vacations visiting Panama, Europe, Canada, and most states in the US. And let's not forget the NDSU Bison!!! She and Gordon were great fans and had season tickets for both basketball and football. She continued to go to the games until the steps became just too difficult for her to manage.

Family was very important to Helen on both sides of our family, and kept in communication with them by mail, phone, and visits. Family came first with her, and that love for family was instilled in her children as well - we never thought about missing out on a family gathering.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers, Russell and Kent; sister, Muriel; her husband, Gordon; and her son, Brian. She will be put to rest with Gordon and Brian at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.

She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Hansen (Fargo), and her son, Roger Hansen (Cynthia and son, Raven - Gahanna, OH). She is also survived by many beloved family members and oh, so many friends. She was very blessed, and she loved the life she lived . . . As for all that knew and loved her, she was just FABULOUS.

Memorials can be made to the Brian D. Hansen Scholarship at NDSU, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, or First Presbyterian Church of Fargo.

Funeral Service: 11am, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home - Fargo, ND