Helen Spaulding

Helen was born on May 27, 1925 in Crookston, MN to Lloyd Milton Swisdal and Ruth Lillith Stay. She was delivered at her grandmother’s home by a Doctor. Helen lived and attended schools in the following areas, Calumet, Minnesota kindergarten, Seattle, Washington, 1st grade Crookston, Minnesota 2nd grade through 9th grade Bemidji, Minnesota 10th grade through 12th Grade where she graduated from High School in 1943, Hibbing, Minnesota where she attended Junior College. Helen graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College, August 15, 1947 with BS in Art and History.  At the time she attended MSTC, the student enrollment was mostly women, due to the war and the facilities consisted of 2 connected buildings. 

Helen and Gordon Skaar were married August 27,1948 in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Four children were born to this family: Vicki, Bob, Tom and Gordy. The family lived in various cities in Michigan and Minnesota. They moved to Bemidji in 1972, where they established the Skaar Distributing Company.  While in Bemidji, they belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, the Bemidji Town and Country Club, and donated or pledged to many building projects at the Church and North Country Hospital.  They donated to establish a maternity waiting room at the Hospital.  They founded the Skaar Pabst Golf Tournament to provide scholarships for the athletes at Bemidji State University.  This tournament has continued for 45 years and is still ongoing.  Gordon passed away in 1992 and the tournament is now called the Gordy Skaar Memorial Tournament.  The couple enjoyed traveling and golf trips in retirement. 

Helen married Buster (Willis J. Spaulding) on July 26th, 1995 in Crookston, MN.  They made their home in Bemidji.  Buster was the owner of Spaulding Motors.  They were members of the Bemidji Town and Country Club and actively enjoyed and supported the community and BSU Arts.  They donated through pledges and donations to North Country Hospital and a piano room in the Music Department of Bemidji State University.  Helen supported Minnesota State University, Moorhead and the Arts department.  They made many trips to Europe and the USA, where they met many interesting people.  They especially enjoyed the trips and cruises sponsored by Bemidji State. 

In 1946, Helen was the Northwest Water Carnival Queen in Detroit Lakes, MN.  She went on to the Minneapolis Aquatennial Pageant where she was a finalist. Helen taught Art in Fargo, Lansing, and Edina Public Schools.  She taught Art and History in the Bemidji Middle School and retired in 1980.  She enjoyed playing golf and bridge, the arts, teaching school and caring for her family.

Helen belonged to the Hospital Auxiliary, PEO, and the Presbyterian Church in Bemidji. Her involvement in the Church included Secretary of Elders, the Search Committee for the new pastor, and President of the Corinthian Circle.

Helen is survived by her children: Vicki (Tom) Johnson of Detroit Lakes, MN, Robert (Teresa) Skaar of Sun City, Arizona and Bemidji, Thomas (Suzan) Skaar of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Bemidji, Gordon (Jennifer) Skaar of Coleraine, MN.  Grandchildren TJ(Pam) Johnson, Tina (Mark) Wilwant, Alison (Derek) Hanson, Angie (Adam) Rackow, Jeannie Skaar, Robbie (Alisa) Skaar, Broc Skaar, Torey (Miguel) Park, Ben (Kylie) Skaar, Evan Skaar, Sam Skaar, Gordon Skaar and Merrith Skaar.  Many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Buster’s children; Margaret (Tim) Hins of Bemidji, Greg (Nicole) Spaulding of Thief River Falls, Susan Decker of Marshfield, WI, Rebecca Andre of St. Bonifacious, MN, Mike (Sue) Spaulding of Bemidji, MN, Jennifer (Scott) Heikkinen of Naperville, IL and Susan Spaulding of Tacoma, WA.  Grandchildren Nicole Schueppert (Tom), Angela (Justin) Raab, Lynsi Kaskubar (Andy), Trevor Hins (Megan), Mari Hins (Kyle), Alex Kim-Beck (Dave), Amanda Felt (Caleb), Christopher Heikkinen (Lauren), Alexa Heikklinen, A.J. Spaulding (Casey), Nicholas Andre, Jonathan Heikkinen (Vivianne), Cierra Reed (Simon), Rory Kuhn (Je’Nai), Nachele Kolden (Ryan), Benjamin Olson (Kendra), and Nicholas Olson.  Many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Sister-in-law Donna Skaar of Tuscon, AZ.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Swisdal, mother, Ruth Stay, brother Robert Swisdal, husband Gordon Skaar and husband Buster Spaulding, brother-in-law Marvin Skaar and sister-in-law Gerri Lindell.

A private family service will be held. 

This is not goodbye, it is just until we meet again.  We love you and will miss you so much.

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