Helen Sorlie

Helen Louise Sorlie, known as Blondie to her friends, died April 20, 2010 at her home in Bismarck. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 26, at First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, at a later date. Helen was born January 15, 1920, in Grand Forks, to Harry and Nellie Fraser Rice. She graduated from Grand Forks Central High School and the University of North Dakota with a degree in Home Economics and Commerce, Art & Clothing. After college, Helen worked for a bank in Los Angeles, CA before marrying. Helen married Alton Glenn Sorlie on December 17, 1943, in Grand Forks. During their early married life, they lived in Tennessee and South Carolina before Glenn was deployed to Europe during WWII. Helen then lived in Bismarck until Glenn returned after the war. At that time she helped Glenn with his freelance photography, including hand-painting portraits before color photography was the standard. While Glenn moved up the ranks at the Bismarck Tribune, she helped raise their four children. A favorite place to go was Bemidji, MN. Helen and Glenn lived at their Bemidji home in the summer months. During the winters they vacationed in the Cayman Islands, another place holding fond memories. The highlight of their travels together was an around-the-world trip on the Concorde supersonic jet in 1988.Helen was an accomplished artist and seamstress. She did many paintings on driftwood before developing a process for making shoulder purses out of lead shot bags. They were unique, stylish and tough as nails. She had a generous spirit and embraced life wholeheartedly. When she spoke, people listened.She loved to entertain her family and friends. Helen and Glenn enjoyed their time in a gourmet club of good friends and in 40 Club dance group. If you didn't have a good time around Helen, it was your fault. Helen was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, PEO Chapter AJ and a Tuesday morning coffee group of very special ladies.She had many dogs and cats throughout her lifetime and was an ardent supporter of the Central Dakota Humane Society. Helen is survived by her daughter, Sue Sorlie, Bismarck; son Gus Mary Sorlie, Bismarck; grandsons Chris Sorlie, Atlanta, GA; Cameron Sorlie, Fredericksburg, VA and Eric Sorlie, Moorhead, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband Alton Glenn Sorlie, her son Glenn Fraser Sorlie, daughter Sonja Louise Sorlie and brothers Harry F. Rice and Malcolm Rice. Memorials may be given to Central Dakota Humane Society and First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck.

Helen Sorlie

January 15, 1920 - April 20, 2010