Helene (Sprunk) Sandvig

   Helene Sandvig, 112, of Fargo, died on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Bethany on University. Helene, widely recognized as Fargo’s oldest resident and the second oldest North Dakota resident, has been celebrated on many occasions.

   Helene Louise Sprunk was born November 25, 1911 on the farm home near Chaffee, ND. Her parents were Gottlieb and Augusta (Nienas) Sprunk. She was confirmed in Chaffee Evangelical Church. She attended school in Walburg School District 55 through the 10th grade and graduated from Chaffee High School in 1928. She received a teaching certificate from Valley City Teachers College and taught school one year in Logan County and seven years at the Bandy School near Leonard. It was there that she met Edwin Sandvig.

   She married Edwin in the Chaffee Evangelical Church in June of 1938. They farmed south of Embden five years, then bought and moved to a farm west of Leonard. They joined the Lutheran Church in Leonard. Helene was Sunday school superintendent for ten years, 4-H leader of the Leonard Starlets 4-H Club for twelve years and was a member of the Hollyhock Homemakers for over fifty years.

   Edwin developed bronchial asthma in 1973 and they decided to sell their farm in 1974 and moved into the John Heuer apartment. For fifteen years they spent their winters in Texas and Arizona. Edwin passed away in 1991. Helene continued living in the apartment. She enjoyed reading, sewing, crafts, her family and friends and working in her church in her younger years. She loved poetry and many times was called upon to give a reading at various occasions. She enjoyed traveling, making three trips to Germany, two to Hawaii and two to Alaska. She spent time with her nephew Wes at their lake home in Montana and at their home in Phoenix.

   She moved to Bethany Homes Assisted Living at the age of 103. There she enjoyed meals with her table-mates, playing bingo, attending chapel and Bible study. Helene liked being the center of attention, her Bethany birthday parties and being interviewed by Kevin Wallevand for WDAY TV. Covid brought its challenges to Helene’s doorstep with isolation in her room, no group activities or Sunday afternoon domino games with her Leonard friends. Throughout the years, Helene’s hearing began to fade, her eyesight weakened, and she wouldn’t turn down a hand to hold for support. She still enjoyed playing the piano beautifully, without a sheet of music. She fought the fight with dignity and respect having lived a long and good life.

   A sincere thank you to the Bethany staff for their care and compassion; and to Jane and Walter, Jeanie and John for their friendship, love and support throughout the years.

   Having no children of their own, Helene and Edwin enjoyed sharing in the achievements of the children of their relatives and friends and would say “we have been truly blessed!”  Helene is survived by several nieces; nephews; and great nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by her husband Edwin, her parents, Gottlieb and Augusta Sprunk; brothers, Elmer, Harvey and Edward “Eddie”; step brothers, Herman, Walter and Ralph; and step sister Elvira Sprunk Roeder.

Funeral:  Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 at 11 AM at New Hope Lutheran Church, Leonard, ND with visitation one hour prior.

Burial: Leonard Cemetery. 

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helene (Sprunk) Sandvig, please visit our floral store.