Dear Classes of 1971, 1972, 1977, 1981 2006  & 2008:

This is a Deacon Alert to inform you of the passing of Anna Helms on Friday, April 11th.

Anna was the mother of Mary Helms ('72), Tim Helms, Tom Helms ('77), Lisa (Helms) Jorgenson ('81), Susie Helms, and the late Carol (Helms) Grimm ('71).  She was also the grandmother of Shanley graduates, Michael Jorgenson ('06) and Emily (Jorgenson) Dhanani ('08).

Obituary:

Anna Mueller Helms, 96, passed away peacefully at Eventide Sheyenne Crossing on April 11, 2025 under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Anna was born on October 18, 1928 to parents John and Mary Mueller in Little Falls, MN. She was the seventh of nine children, growing up on the family farm outside of Buckman, MN. Following fifteen years of Catholic schooling, she attended and graduated from Saint Francis Nursing School in Breckenridge, MN in 1950.

After graduation, she started her nursing career at the Veterans Administration in Hot Springs, SD. While working in Hot Springs, she married Forest Helms in 1951. Together they had six children – Carol, Mary, Timothy, Thomas, Lisa, and Susan. After the family put down roots in Fargo, ND, she began her career at the Fargo VA hospital in 1958. Anna was very proud of the work and exemplary care she gave her patients on ward 3A. After retiring after 30 years of service in 1988, she enjoyed volunteering at the local homeless clinic, attending church at her home parish of Saint Anthony of Padua, growing a rose garden that was the envy of all of 8th Street, and creating a childhood filled with imagination and adventure for her grandchildren, Michael and Emily.

Anna’s Catholic faith was a cornerstone in her life. She was a woman of compassion and will be lovingly remembered by her family for her love of books and her quick wit. She was known for her sharp sense of humor, bringing laughter to everyone who crossed her path. Above all else, she cared deeply for her family and friends, especially her youngest daughter, Susie, for whom she writes:
“My love to my special daughter, Susie, who will always be in my heart. I can never give back to her what she gave to me and what she will give to us all.”

Anna is survived by her children: Mary (Ken Olson) Helms, Tim (Tammy Runion) Helms, Tom (Karen) Helms, Lisa (Matt) Jorgenson, and Susie Helms, and son-in-law Roger (Jane Winston) Grimm; grandchildren Jessica (John) Vogt, Michael Jorgenson, Emily (Ali) Dhanani, Anna Helms and Aaron Helms; three great-grandchildren (Katelin, Parker, and Aleah), many nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Joanie Mueller.

She is reunited in heaven with her oldest daughter, Carol Grimm, her parents, brothers and sisters, and many friends and family.

Anna wished to give special recognition to her daughter Lisa and her husband, Matt. “Thank you for all you have done for me.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral Mass: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 3, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Fargo with visitation starting at 12:00 P.M. Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery North, Fargo. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo.