Helma Alvira Mitchell

Funeral Service: https://vimeo.com/928415325

It was noticed that the last of the seven daughters of Herman and Alma Qualley of rural Kindred, North Dakota, Helma Alvira Mitchell, received her crown of glory on March 26, 2024, and is now resting in the arms of her loving savior, Jesus Christ.

Helma lived on the Qualley family farm until she graduated from Leonard High School in 1939. Then she went away to Mayville State Teachers College. After obtaining her teaching certificate (two years) she took her first teaching position in Aneta. It was at Aneta that she met the love of her life, Lowell James Mitchell. The two were married on August 4, 1944, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minnesota. Later, Helma received her Bachelor of Science in Education at Moorhead State College, and her Master of Science in Education at North Dakota State University.

Helma taught in various schools, Aneta, Walhalla, Hannah, Sheldon, and eventually to Fargo where she taught primarily 4th grade and reading, plus mentored many student teachers, until her retirement in 1984. Helma was an active member of the Fargo Retired Teachers Association, The National Teachers Education Association, and the Delta Kappa Gamma Education Society. She was recognized nationally with The Instructor Magazine Excellence in Teaching Award.

Helma was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell and her sisters, Ann, Dorothy, Ruth, Marilyn, Jean, and Orpha. She is survived by her son Jim and wife Kelly of Boerne, Texas; her two grandchildren, Kelsey Golden and husband Brian of Boerne, Texas, and Dakota and wife Maggie of Boerne, Texas. In addition, Helma is survived by her five great-grandchildren: Charlie Rose Mitchell, Wyatt Golden, Willow Helma Mitchell, Bowen Golden, and Everett Mitchell. She is also survived by her special niece Paula Colarusso whom she considered her daughter, and other nieces Jessica, Elizabeth, Jann, Shawnie, Sheri, Marsha, and Barbara; and nephews Matt, George and Kenny.

Helma became a Charter Member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fargo in 1955 and was active in education, fellowship, and alter guild.

Helma's Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Since Helma considered her leaving this world to be joyful event, she wanted bright colors to be worn instead of black to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorials be made in Helma's name to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Fargo or to the Fargo Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund.