Helen Swanstrom

Helen Swanstrom, age 91, of Alexandria, died Tuesday, November 24, 2015. A graveside service will be held at 1:15 PM Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Friends and family should gather at Assembly Area #3 at the cemetery at 1 PM Thursday. OBITUARY Helen Berneice Petzke was born March 29, 1924 in Harvey, ND, the daughter of Carl and Julia (Riedel) Petzke. She grew up on a farm near Heimdahl, ND where she attended elementary school. Helen graduated from high school at Fessendon, ND. On April 6, 1943 Helen was united in marriage to George Swanstrom. Immediately after their marriage, George left to serve in World War II. Helen and George’s sister, whose husband had also gone to war, operated the Dew Drop Inn & Bar at Selz, ND. When George returned from the war her began working for the railroad at Selz. Later they family moved to Dwight, ND and then to Alexandria, MN. Helen did some retail sales work. She worked at Glenwear, Pamida and Pete’s County Market. She retired in the late 1970’s. In her earlier years she was active in her church as a Sunday school teacher. In Alexandria she was a member of First Lutheran Church. She and George loved gardening, the kept vegetable and flower gardens. Helen liked to read, sew, and create art through craftwork. One of Helen’s most favorite things in life was looking after her grandchildren. On November 24, 2015 Helen died at the age of ninety-one years. She is preceded in death by her husband, George Swanstrom; one brother, Ervin Petzke; and two sisters, Lily Lindgren and Edna Larson. Helen is survived by her sons Terry Swanstrom and wife, Margaret, of Alexandria and Larry Swanstrom and wife, Cindy, of Rosemount, MN; grandchildren, Daniel Swanstrom and wife, Jill, Megan Swanstrom, Shawn Swanstrom and wife, Angel, Jenna Swanstrom and Rory Swanstrom; and one great grandchild, Zoe. A graveside service will be held 1:15 PM Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Friends should gather at Assembly Area #3 at 1PM Thursday at the cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. .

Helen Swanstrom

March 29, 1924 - November 24, 2015