Helen Sorensen

Helen Sorensen, 97 of Viborg, passed away on July 21, 2024 at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Viborg. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday, July 26, 2024 at the church with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 pm. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/HofmeisterJonesFuneralHome . Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Helen Faye Petersen was born on July 20, 1927 at the rural home of her parents, Peter and Anna(Jensen) Petersen, in Turkey Valley Township of Yankton County.  She was baptized and confirmed in Meldahl Lutheran Church. Her siblings were Vera Bjerkaas, Joyce Eli, Howard, Beatrice Fjordback and Rueben. Helen's formal education was in Sletten School District #62.She graduated from Irene High School in 1945 and attended nursing school for a semester prior to her marriage.

Helen and Arnie were married in the Meldahl Church parsonage on February 10th 1946.  Their early years together read like a travelogue brochure in their striving to find a permanent home took them from one end of South Dakota to another and back again to the military base in Igloo. She and Arnie spent 7 years farming a mile north of Midway.   Then they spent 15 years in Viborg followed by a move to Valdez Alaska.  After 14 years in Alaska they moved back to Viborg.

The early years of their marriage brought 6 children into their life,  Gerald , Kris, Katherine, Arnita, Rebecca and Daniel.  Helen worked as a Nurse’s aid, Lab and Xray tech at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg until the move to Valdez.  She spent her  Alaska years in CSR and purchasing department of Valdez Community Hospital.

Once retired and back to Viborg, Helen pursued her other interests.  She enjoyed ceramics, refinishing antique furniture and Oil Painting.  Activities outside the home have always been an important part of Helen’s life. Her years in Viborg found her serving in Bethany Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher and in various offices of her Ladies Aid Circle.  She was active in the local V.F.W. auxiliary, and member and past president to the Viborg PTA and she served as the first woman president of the local DBS lodge.

Music played a prominent role in Helen’s life.  She sang in a Sweet Adeline barbershop chorus.  She was a part of a trio that performed for many years at local dance halls, nursing homes, and many other venues.  Helen played the keyboard, Arnie played his accordion with Gearld Jonason on banjo.  Their band was named Two and a Half Danes.  Helen alone continued to entertain on her keyboard until her passing.

Helen is survived by her children Gerald and friend Tanis of Texas, Kathy Van Hull of Viborg, daughter-in-law Mary Sorensen of Indiana, Arnita Lynch of Sioux Falls, Rebecca and Cleve of Alaska, Daniel and Cyndy of Indiana, seventeen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Arnie ,son Kris and grandson Eric Sorensen.