Helen Irwin

Helen L. Irwin, 98, of Langdon, ND and formerly of the Wales/Mt. Carmel area and Grand Forks, ND, passed away Monday, February 20, 2012, at the Maple Manor Care Center of Langdon, ND.



Helen L. Schmidt was born February 5, 1914, to Henry and Elizabeth (Materna) Schmidt at their farm home in Wales, ND. Helen was raised and educated in Wales. She and Daniel Gordon Irwin were united in marriage on October 11, 1947 in Langdon. They raised their family in the Wales area, and Helen supported the family farm and nourished her family through her wonderful cooking, baking, gardening and canning.

She also had a lifelong drive to help others and volunteer in her community. As a young mother she was active in the Homemakers' Club and the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church Altar Society.



After Dan passed away in 1979, she moved to Langdon and became a regular and energetic fixture at the Langdon Senior Center, offering her help wherever it was needed, from visiting with the "older" members to calling bingo. She remained an active member of the Church and the Catholic Daughters.



She later moved to Grand Forks to be near her daughter and grandsons. She had a lifelong love of music and dancing; spending time with family and friends; and doting on children and babies, whether they were related to her or not.



Helen is survived by her children: Kelly (Ann) Johnson, Sue (Johnson) Hanson, Hugh (Marilyn) Johnson, David Johnson, Nick Irwin and Luella Beam; grandchildren: Guy, Cindy, Ty, Randy, Jason, Erik and Brian; great-grandchildren: Aurora, Ariel, Emily, Eli, Jackson and Juniper; sister: Bernice Domres; brother: Bernard Schmidt; along with numerous nieces and nephews.



She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Daniel, an infant daughter, and siblings: Frank, Katherine Dohman, Peter, Cele Konze, Lena Louden and Isabelle Foley.



SERVICES will be held Saturday, February 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Maple Manor Care Center of Langdon.



Visitation will take place for one hour before the time of the services at Maple Manor on Saturday.



INTERMENT - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Mt. Carmel in the Spring