Helen Bangen

Helen Bangen, 93, formerly of New Town, ND, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on March 18, 2015, at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. Helen was a kind, gentle, and giving person who loved to be part of the daily rhythm of life. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6:00 – 7:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be held on Thursday at 1:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church in New Town with Rev. Robert Schmidt officiating. Burial will be at the Grand Valley Lutheran Cemetery south of New Town. Helen Margaret Howie was born March 25, 1921, to John Brand and Thea (Tolgen) Howie on her parents’ homestead south of Van Hook, ND. Helen's father immigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1899 and so the only family member to leave Scotland at that time. Her mother's family homesteaded in Ward County and it was Thea Howie that received a homestead in Mountrail County. At the age of 14, Helen’s mother passed away and her father found work in a neighboring city. Helen and her two younger sisters spent much of their school years living separately with area families. During this time, Helen was fortunate to find guardians who mentored and encouraged her and introduced her to activities that would become lifelong passions; flower gardening, sewing, needle point, crocheting, and knitting. Later she added photography and painting. Helen attended elementary school in a small rural school close to their farm and graduated from high school in Van Hook, ND, in 1940. She moved to Watford City to work in a local restaurant and later travelled to Seattle, WA, to live and work before returning to Van Hook in 1943. After her return to North Dakota, she met a young farmer from the neighboring township. On December 27, 1944, Helen married Arvid Bangen in Sanish, ND, and they made their home on the Bangen homestead south of Sanish. They moved from the family farm into New Town in 1984 and in 2010 moved to Bismarck. They were married for 67 years before Arvid passed away in 2012. Helen’s family is grateful for the almost 94 years she joyfully lived; for her generosity and kindness, mental and physical strength, zest for life and for the love she gave each of us. May God bless her as her life has been a blessing to each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Helen is survived by her daughter, Susan Bangen, Seattle, WA; her sons, David (Pamela) Bangen, Bismarck, ND, and Jeffrey (Margie) Bangen, New Town, ND; six grandchildren, Bradley Bangen, Heidi (Jim) Bitz, Whitney (Chad) Bangen, MacKenzie Bangen, Jake Bangen, and Billie Bangen; and four great-grandchildren, Elliot Bitz, Mason Bitz, Logan Bitz, and Emma Bangen. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvid Bangen; her son, Bruce Arvid Bangen; her parents; her sisters, Janet Howie, Ravina Howie, Ruth Maurer, Ora Maurer, and Lillian Shervin; and her brother, John Howie Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lakeside Community Living Center, Bethel Lutheran Church, or donor’s choice.

Helen Bangen

March 25, 1921 - March 18, 2015