Helen Hardy Vedvig , longtime Minot resident and proud North Dakotan, passed away at her home on April 3, 2015 in Billings, MT at age 94.

Helen Hardy was born on the family farm in Manitou Township near Ross, ND to Harry and Julia Hardy on June 9, 1920. She graduated from Manitou High School in 1938 and earned her teaching certificate from Minot State Teachers College in 1940. She returned to her home community to teach. In 1941 she was appointed Superintendent of Schools for Mountrail County which made her the youngest elected county official in the nation. Her work took her to 100 rural schools where she served in various capacities. She held this position for over 10 years.

Helen was married in 1943 in Stanley, ND to Floyd E. Vedvig who was enlisted in the U. S. Army serving in World War II. Helen, Floyd and daughter Joan moved to Minot in 1954 where Helen taught at Minot State Teachers College and in the Minot Public School System. Helen\'s second daughter Jeanie was born in 1959. From 1972 - 78 she served as Parish Education Director at First Lutheran Church. After the death of her husband in 1978 she became a licensed real estate agent working for 20 years with Century 21 Real Estate.

Helen enjoyed her involvement in various community activities. She was a member of the Bel Air and Longfellow PTAs; Community Concert Association, First Lutheran Church and its women's organizations and was a 50 plus year member and Past Matron of the Venus Chapter #14 of the Order of Eastern Star . She was an avid gardener, bridge player, knitter and cook. She played organ concerts at the Carnegie Center and area nursing homes. No one could drive by the corner of 7th Ave and 20th Street NW without noticing her gardens and the pride she had in her home and yard.

She is survived by her daughters, Joan (Curt) Colby and Jeanie (Rich) Voorhis ; grandchildren, Matthew Colby, Brandon and Renee Voorhis; great grandson, Ayden Edgerley; nephew, Skinner Hardy and nieces, Claudia Aquino and Julia Thomas.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers: Cassius and Harry and three sisters: Edith Hardy, Mildred Kamps and Cecile Thomas.

Celebration of the Life of Helen Vedvig: Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill memorial Park - Minot

Visitation: Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, Minot.