Helen Louise Rodi was born January 5, 1916 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Bernt and Ruby (Hanson) Thompson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Helen grew up in Camp Lake Township of Swift County, Minnesota, and attended school at District #73. She attended Benson High School through the 9th grade. On February 18, 1933, Helen was united in marriage to Syvert Rodi at the St. Pauli Parsonage by Rev. Beito. The marriage was blessed with four children and 63 years of marriage. The family lived on a farm in Camp Lake Township and Helen helped with the farm chores as well as caring for the home and raising the children. She also worked at the Café in Brooten, Swift Falls Turkey Plant, Swift County Benson Hospital, Benson Produce, Kerkhoven Gambles, and Assistant Cashier at the First State Bank in Murdock, before retiring at age 62 in 1978. She was a member of St. Pauli, where she served as Sunday School superintendant, secretary and treasurer; organist, and she sang in the choir. Later she was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Swift Falls. Helen was a member of Sons of Norway, Nordfjordlaget, and she held an advance license in Ham Radio. Among the things she enjoyed were doll collecting, scrapbooking, picture album collecting, flying, horseshoes, gardening, flowers, traveling, baking, sewing, quilting, entertaining, writing poetry, letter writing and emailing. Helen was called from this life on Monday, September 13, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Benson. She attained the age of 94 years, 8 months, and 8 days. Helen is survived by her children: Beverly Anderson of St. Joseph, Sherlen (Betty) Rodi of Spicer, Lavonne (Ken) Lundebrek of Spicer, and Roger (Mary) Rodi of Bloomingdale, GA; eight grandchildren: Gesele Freels of Minneapolis, Michele Meintsma of Minneapolis, Robin Lechuga of Minneapolis, JoLynn (Michael) Wentzel of Spicer; Alan (Lisa) Arneson of Fosston, Brad (Nancy) Arneson of New London, Pam Tyler of Bloomingdale, GA; and Rick Rodi of Bloomingdale, GA; ten great grandchildren: Hedy Freels, Ben Lechuga, Mario Lechuga, Ryan Wentzel, Brady Arneson, Kyle Arneson, Aaron Arneson, Hana Arneson, Caleb Arneson, Zach Holloway; two great great grandchildren: Aurora and Adriana; sisters: Gladys Stai of Sunburg, Bernice Rodi of Benson and Betty (special friend Ed Norby) Nordby of Spicer; brothers: Thomas Thompson of Willmar and Donald (Lorraine) Thompson of Kerkhoven; and other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her husband, Syvert in 1996; her parents; sisters: Ellen Maanum, Mabel Gronseth, and Clara Carter; a brother, Benard Thompson; half sister, Josephine Gorder; half brother, Alvin Thompson; sons-in-law: Maurice Meintsma, Paul Anderson, and Arthur Arneson; sisters-in-law: Mary Anne Thompson and Ardiss Thompson; brothers-in-law: Jerome Gunderson, Arnold Stai, Oswald Rodi, Dick Nordby, Lloyd Carter, Olaf Gronseth and Wallace Maanum.
