Helga Franz

Helga A. Franz, 89, Jamestown, North Dakota passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Eventide at Hi­Acres in Jamestown.

Helga Agnes Rutgerson was born on June 1, 1921 at the family farm in Buchanan, North Dakota to Edwin and Gertrude Rutgerson (Carlson). She was raised on the family homestead in Buchanan and attended school there graduating from High School in 1939. Her first job was working for the telephone company. She married Marvin E. Franz on April 4, 1944 in Jamestown. They bought a farm in Buchanan just a few miles from Grandma and Grandpa Rutgerson. They farmed there until 1953 and then moved to Jamestown. She worked along side Marvin at their business, Franz Recapping and Tire Service doing all of the bookkeeping until they sold the business. She worked for Ethel Houser in the reality business for a number of years and was a bank teller for many years. Her last employment was with Jamestown PLG Elderly Housing until her retirement in 1997. Helga moved to Hi-Acres Manor in June of 2006 after breaking her leg.

She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and also of the Elks Club. Her greatest passion in life was her music. Her voice was a beautiful soprano and she graced many weddings, funerals and the church choir with her talent. The Dream Team gave her one of her wishes in October of a Lutefisk Dinner, which she grew up having every Christmas. Helga so enjoyed her dearest friend, Jane Eberhardt, who was very loyal in visiting her and looking forward to her visits. She also loved seeing her doggies, Birgit and Pumpkin, visit and they would boost her spirits each time.

Helga is survived by her two daughters, Marlys Sjostrom, Jamestown; Jannet (Barry) Hendrickson, Denton, TX; one sister Edna (Roy) Brown, Jamestown; six grandchildren, Scott (Susan) Hayden, Billings, MT; Carmen Hayden, Alcester, SD; Michael (Jaynette) Jones, Waxahachie, TX; Edwin (Becky) Jones, Fountain Valley, CA; Catherine (Brian) Oertel, Marshfield, WI; Charles (Erika) Jones, Waxahachie, TX; 5 step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter (and another great-great-granddaughter due in Feb); 3 step-great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents one sister, Birgit Matchey; two infant sisters; one son-in-law Harley Sjostrom; one brother-in-law Phil Matchey; two nephews, Eddy and Robert Matchey; one Uncle Carl Carlson; and many relatives in Sweden.