Manfred History & Preservation, Inc.
Henry and Betsy Helgerud
Husband's Full Name: Henry Hanson Helgerud
Husband's Place of Birth: Land, Drammen, Norway
Husband's Father's Name: Hans Hanson Helgerud
Husband's Mother's Name: Christine H. Skolmen
Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown
Wife's Full Name: Betsy Myhre
Wife's Place of Birth: Vang, Valdres, Norway
Wife's Father's Name: Boie Leine Myhre
Wife's Mother's Name: Berit Brekke
Wife's Siblings' Names: Helge Myhre
Children's Names: Kernel, Maurice, Myrtle, Leonard
Mrs. Betsy Helgerud
Mrs. Henry Helgerud, (Betsy Myhre) was born in Vang, Valdres, Norway, in 1867, and grew to young womanhood in her native country.
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With her brother, Helge B. Myhre, she immigrated to North Dakota in 1889, residing some years at Fargo before coming to Kindred, North Dakota. Here she established a dressmaking shop and was very successful in her new venture. Helge at this time was employed as clerk in the Lund General Store. It was here she met and married Mr. Helgerud, the date of this union being April 24, 1898. Shortly after they established their pioneer home on her claim five and one-half miles east of Harvey, and where the younger son and wife now reside. Mr. Helgerud was a carpenter and aside from farming pursued his trade for many years. With forethought, planning and hard work they converted their early holdings into a lovely farmstead. Through the years, like all pioneers, they planted trees and a large grove now stands there as a monument to their industry. Acreage was added gradually to the original homestead claim.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Helgerud: Kernel, Maurice and Myrtle (Mrs. Art Jorgenson) all living in Harvey and Leonard, the younger son on the home farm.
For many years Mrs. Helgerud and her family were devoted members of Vang Church in Manfred. She was a member of the Vang Ladies Aid and worked untiringly for the good of this organization. Later she became president and gave freely of her time and substance to it.
During the later years her church membership was transferred to the First Lutheran Church in Harvey, as it was more accessible to her home.
She became ill in 1923 and patiently went through much suffering, until her passing in 1924. A plot in the Sunnyside Cemetery, several miles west of Harvey holds her last remains.
The Rev. J. M. Langseth performed the last rites. She was a good neighbor, a fine mother and a loyal citizen she is greatly missed by those with whom she had come in contact. Mr. Helgerud passed away 17 years later.
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Source: Mrs Sennev Nertrost Whipple