Helen Luella Clara Hagen

Helen Luella Clara (Sonsteng) Hagen, 91, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, surrounded by family and the caring staff on the second floor at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

She was born on Feb. 27, 1922, in Wolf Point, the daughter of Arnold and Clara (Huseby) Sonsteng. Her mother passed away three days after she was born. She was raised by her great aunt, Helene Christiansen Hafstad, in the Rollag, Minn., area. She received her schooling at District 14 country school near Rollag. In her early years, she worked in the Pelican Rapids area. She used to spend time in the summers at her dad's farm in Lustre.

She was united in marriage to Albin Hagen on June 1, 1941. They made their home in Moorhead for many years where they raised their family. There was always a little one in her lap and treats in the cupboard.

She also worked outside the home at de Lendrecies in Fargo, Dakota Hospital, Concordia Food Service, and working for many years well into her 80s with her family at FM Flooring. Her most favorite job was being mom, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and most recently her great-grandchildren. She enjoyed all of her grandkids and great-grandkids, rocking and singing or yodeling to them, and always had an abundant supply of cookies.

Due to health concerns, she moved to Eventide in 2007 and had made her home at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albin, in 1978; one granddaughter, Mary Ann; one great-granddaughter, Ella Grace; eight brothers, Obert, Milo, Walter, Telford, Lyle, Kenny, Curtis and Raymond Sonsteng; and three sisters, Clarice, Gladys and Mildred.

Survivors include eight children, Duane Hagen and his wife, Judy, of Fargo, N.D., Ron Hagen and his wife, Sandy, of Middleton, Wis., Curt Hagen and his wife, Mary, of Fargo, Janice Ault and her husband, Harlyn, of Moorhead, Sharol Rydquist and her husband, Chuck, of Maple Grove, Minn.; Patty Brosowske and her husband, Lynn, of Moorhead, Steve Hagen and his wife, Shelley, of Moorhead and Mike Hagen and his wife, Gail, of Moorhead; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; siblings, Stanley Sonsteng, of Glasgow, Douglas Sonsteng of Four Buttes and Arlene Decker of Santa Fe, N.M.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Tuesday.

A prayer service was held at 7 p.m. Monday at Boulger Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Dec. 17 at the Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Moorhead, followed by burial at Moorhead Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral home in Fargo.