Helen Ensrude Obituary

Helen V. Ensrude, 95, of Willmar, died Monday, July 21st at Ecumen of Litchfield. Her memorial service will be 11:00 am, Thursday, July 24th at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar with interment in Calvary Lutheran Cemetery. www.hafh.org There will be a recording of her service available at www.hafh.org following the service.

Memorials are preferred to Green Lake Lutheran Ministries (www.gllm.org) or a charity of your choice.

Helen V. (Wollebeck) Ensrude was born June 12, 1930, in Larimore, ND, the daughter of Hans and Luella (Ericksen) Wollebeck. Helen graduated from New Rockford High School in 1948 and attended Concordia College in Moorhead for a year.

On October 30, 1949, she was united in marriage to Percy L. Ensrude of Pekin, ND. Percy finished Concordia College and went on to seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. They were blessed with five children: Michael, Daniel, Cynthia, Rebecca and Mary.

Percy served a four-point parish in Alamo, ND from 1954-1960; a two-point parish in Bowman and Amidon, ND from 1960-1966; a two-point parish in Bisbee and Egeland, ND from 1970-1986; and as chaplain of Madison Lutheran Home in Madison, MN and Luther Haven in Montevideo, MN. Helen was a supportive partner in each of these ministries, including serving in activities support at Madison Lutheran Home.

After retirement in 1986, Percy and Helen moved to Harlingen, TX, where they resided until 2007 when they moved to Westview Village in Willmar. There, Helen displayed her love for flowers with her magnificent gardens.

Helen will be remembered for her sense of humor and giving heart. She was sustained by her faith that she passed on to each of her children. Her life was a gift to all who knew her and an example of humble service in a world where that has become rare.

Helen is survived by her children, Michael (Bonnie) Ensrude of Austin, TX; Daniel (Susan) Ensrude of Mineral Point, WI; Cynthia (Paul) Dolan of Everett, WA; Rebecca (Bobby) Schmitt of Paynesville; Mary (Doug) Krokstrom of Litchfield. She dearly loved and cherished her 19 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by husband of 62 years, Percy.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen V. (Wollebeck) Ensrude, please visit our floral store.