Helen Severson

November 30, 1926 - October 11, 2019

Visitation: Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-7 p.m., family present from 5-7 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Her funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 16 at Canton United Methodist Church.

      Helen Grace Severson, age 92, died peacefully Friday, October 11, 2019, surrounded by her family at Sanford – Ava’s House.  Her funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 16 at Canton United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-7 p.m., family present from 5-7 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

     Helen was born November 30, 1926, in Canton to Fred and Lena Van Bockern. As a student at Canton High School, Helen played basketball, participated in band, loved her home economics classes and worked at Visser’s Market.

      Helen was united in marriage to Arne Severson April 20, 1946, at Canton Lutheran Church. They lived and farmed outside Canton where Helen spent many days working in the fields helping Arne. She proudly stayed home to raise her three children. They lived on the farm until 1990 when Arne retired and they moved into town.

     Helen is a former member of Land’s Lutheran Church and most recently attended Canton United Methodist Church. Throughout her life, she was actively involved in church by teaching Sunday School, participating in bible studies and Ladies Aid, and regularly volunteering.

     Helen also volunteered at the Canton Good Samaritan Society and frequently visited friends there. Through the nursing home, she established the Arne Severson Nursing Scholarship Endowment that has provided financial assistance to many aspiring caregivers.

     Helen was a skilled baker and cook, known especially for her caramel bars, Special K bars, chocolate chip cookies and lefse. Neighbors and passersby could commonly find Helen outside doing yard work at all times of the year – pulling weeds, raking leaves, shoveling snow, sweeping the sidewalk and hauling branches. She took great pride in keeping a tidy home.

     There was nothing more important to Helen than her family. She played a special role in raising several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hosted countless holiday gatherings and never missed a birthday. Helen sewed dozens of personalized Christmas stockings for family members, each one unique. Because of her kind and loving spirit, she was known as Grandma Helen to many beyond her family. The legacy she leaves behind is one of great faithfulness to the Lord and her loved ones.

     Helen was grateful to share her life with: Her daughter, Carol; 7 grandchildren – Lance (Sarah), Anje (Verlyn), Jamie (Lance), Justin, Lindsey (Kyle), Jace (Nicole), and Kyle (Kara); 15 great-grandchildren –  Anthony (Hannah), Kaylee (Brett), Kolten, Trevor, Levi, Brett, Beau, Madalyn, Gracie, Hadley, Logan, Helen, Jaxon, Waylon and Carlee; 2 great-great grandchildren – Lily and Hayden; 1 brother – Don; 2 sisters-in-law – Dorothy and Dee; and 3 honorary sons – Darryl, Terry and Brian. Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Arne; 2 sons – Tony and Verlyn; 1 great-grandchild – Ty Anthony; 5 sisters – Mabel, Ruth, June, Dorothy, Lois; and 6 brothers – Art, Leo, Earl, Duke, Dale and Dick.

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11 messages have been left

  1. Wilma Romereim on October 11, 2019 said:

    My deepest sympathy to the family.

  2. Kirk & Brenda Hanson on October 12, 2019 said:

    Our deepest sympathy to the family.

  3. Francis and Carol McEntee on October 12, 2019 said:

    Our sympathy. She was a sweetheart….McEntees

  4. Merlyn Sundvold on October 12, 2019 said:

    What a great lady your mother was may God look over and guide the family

  5. leon clare anderson on October 13, 2019 said:

    THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE SEVERSON FAMILY, HELEN WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.

  6. Melissa Swier on October 14, 2019 said:

    Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Great lady!

  7. Craig and Patty Dittberner on October 14, 2019 said:

    A beautiful soul will be missed in Canton. What a lovely lady Helen was! Our sympathy and prayers are with you. Craig and Patty Dittberner

  8. Richard Parke on October 14, 2019 said:

    Helen had touched so many lives in her time, always showing the positives in life. She will be terribly missed by many. God bless her and her family.

  9. Dar and Lavonne Dahl on October 15, 2019 said:

    To know Helen was to love her. She was kind to everyone and never had a negative word or attitude towards anything. God bless her memory!

  10. Lynn and Char Rodway on October 15, 2019 said:

    Helen will be missed by many. She was a lady of grace and what a wonderful warm smile she had when greeting everyone. Lynn and I want to extend our sympathies to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  11. Denise Winter on October 15, 2019 said:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I always enjoyed visiting with Helen, such a kind and sweet lady.