Helen Viola Aanerud

Helen Viola Wangen was born August 5, 1916, to Nels Albert and Martha Nelson Wangen in Manchester Township. She was baptized and confirmed at the West Freeborn Lutheran Church and attended County School District 21. Helen married Arthur C. Gunderson at the Central Freeborn Lutheran Church Parsonage on September 21, 1935. On March 1, 1986 she married William Aanerud. She served as Central Church Sunday school superintendent during the late 1940s and was a past member of the ALCW, choir and Altar Guild. In addition to being a homemaker on the family farm, Helen was employed as a Nurse's Aide at Good Samaritan Center from 1957 to 1962 and at St. John's Lutheran Home at the time of its opening in 1962 until her retirement in 1980. She was a member of The Sons of Norway and American Legion Auxiliary. Some of her many interests included Hardanger stitchery, Norwegian Christmas baking, golf, bowling and Minnesota Twins baseball. She enjoyed her family and was a blessing and encouragement to those who knew her. Survivors include her husband, William Aanerud; daughter, Phyllis Wes Nielsen; daughter-in-law, Denise Gunderson; grandchildren, Charles Meuser, Patti Mike Buechner, Ania Mike Keliher, Laura Charles Tommerdahl, and Ryan Gunderson; great-grandchildren, Adam and Jacob Meuser, Kara and Nathan Buechner; step-daughter, Barbara Bill Nelson; step-granddaughter, Kristine Nelson; two brothers, Russell, Harold Maxine; sister-in-law, Frieda Wangen; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arthur Gunderson; son-in-law, Darrell Meuser in 1982; son, Robert in 2002; granddaughter-in-law, Sharon Meuser; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie and Alfred Kaufman, Dora and Henry Melander, Florence and Chester Bud Hansen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Nels and Irma Wangen, Arnold Wangen, Elvin and Irene Wangen, Glenn and Lila Wangen, Viola Wangen, Floyd Wangen; nephews, Marvin, Duane and Gerald Wangen and Ronald Melander. Memorials preferred to Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.