Helen Valeria Silseth, 80, Minot and formerly of Portal, died on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in a Minot hospital, surrounded by her loving family, and under the tender care of Trinity Hospice.

Helen Valeria Kleppen was born on August 19, 1930 in Portal, ND to Magne and Bertha (Lee) Kleppen. She lived in the hill country south of Larson, ND and walked across the open prairie to a one room country school. At age 7, the family moved to Grandpa Lee's homestead 9 miles southwest of Portal, ND. She attended school in Portal for the next 11 years. Helen played on the girls basketball team for 5 years and was a cheerleader for 5 years. She graduated from Portal High School in 1948 and continued her education at Interstate Business College in Fargo. As a young adult she was employed as a stenographer at Motors Insurance Corporation in Fargo.

Helen married Lowell Silseth on November 12, 1950 at the First Lutheran Church in Columbus, ND. She was "bride of the year" for the bridal shop in Fargo, ND and won her wedding dress! Helen and Lowell made their home in Fargo prior to moving to Minot in 1954. She continued her employment with Motors Insurance Corporation at its Minot branch office until 1957 when she became a fulltime wife, mother and homemaker.

In Minot, Helen was a member of First Lutheran Church where she served on the Altar Guild for 40 years, taught Sunday school for many years as well as serving as the Sunday School Superintendant. She belonged to a church circle and the stewardship committee, served on the church council for 4 years, acted as the President of the church women for 4 years as well as serving as the women's organization secretary, treasurer and program chairman. Helen belonged to the Minot Coin Club and was its secretary for many years and received an honorary life membership. She was a member of the Sons of Norway Thor Lodge for 30 years and served as its President, Counselor , Financial Secretary, Social Director, Assistant Secretary and was in charge of composing the lodge's history books for 9 years. Helen taught hardanger, chip carving and figure carving. She served on the 4th District Board of the Sons of Norway as its publicity director and vice president. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, stamp collecting, oil painting, crocheting, knitting, and tatting. She baked and decorated many birthday cakes and wedding cakes. Grandkids would show her a picture or a stuffed animal of what they wanted and it was done!

Helen was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, President of the Minot Model/Campus School PTA, and was awarded a PTA Life Membership Award. She took art classes from Vern Skaug and painted many pictures, many of which were portraits of her grandchildren. Helen and Lowell enjoyed traveling and visited four Canadian provinces as well as Hawaii, Yugoslavia and Norway twice.

Helen's loving family includes her husband of 60 years Lowell; her 3 children: Barbara (Ken) Kruse, Minot, Kyia Beth (Larry) Zubke, Bismarck, and Steven Silseth, Minot; grandchildren: Kristin (Brad) Korgel, Minot, Dr. Kari (Jason) Peterson, South Haven, MN, Kendall Kruse, Minot, Katrina (Jamie) Scherber, Albertville, MN, Jennifer (Brandon) Dockter, Bismarck, ND and Melissa Zubke, Bismarck, ND; great grandchildren: Alyssa and Zachary Korgel, Lucas Peterson, Payton and Elise Scherber and Maddison Dockter; brother: Clayton (Sharon) Kleppen of Columbus; sister-in-law: Lena Kleppen of Watford City; aunt: Dorothy Watterud of Linton and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sister: Gladys Mae Kimmel and brothers: Merle, Kenneth and Jerome Kleppen.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church Foundation or missions or a church or charity of the donor's choice.