Helen Sundquist

Helen E. Strand Sundquist, 92, Grand Marais, died Thursday, May 19, 2011 in the Cook County North Shore Hospital.

She was born December 12, 1918 to Carl and Randi (Jacobson) Thoreson in Duluth, moved to Hovland on the "America" where she grew up and attended Flute Reed School. She graduated from Cook County High School in 1936 and married Clarence Strand November of 1943. Helen was a caregiver through the years and later worked for the Cook County Nursing Home. After Clarence passed away Helen married Art Sundquist in 1982 and then retired from the nursing home. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hovland, and its Ladies Aide and served as organist for many years. She enjoyed gardening flowers and vegetables and wintering in Texas.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Clarence Strand and Art Sundquist; a daughter, Maribeth Doucette; a sister, Irene Risch and a brother, Edwin Thoreson.

Helen is survived by her son, Bruce (Pat) Strand; grandchildren, Joel (Crystal), Monique (Eric), Noel, Casey (Matt), Matthew, Jennifer, Brienne (Anton), Andrew, and Kristopher (Caitlin); great-grandchildren, Chase, Brody, Jordan, Wyatt, Joshua, Maya, and Carter, Eero, and Hivar; and several extended family members.

Visitation will be from Noon until the 1 PM service on Sunday May 22, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.