Helen Hildegard Hoistad, age 91 was born March 2, 1932, on a farm near Barton, in Pierce County, ND. Mom passed away (went home) on March 25, 2023, in the Seattle area. She was on hospice services following a fall a month earlier.
She started school in Esmond, ND, at age five. That permitted her to accompany her older siblings providing she could “keep up” in the classroom. She started to learn English in school while at home her parents tended to speak German. After five years of living in Esmond and the surrounding community, her family moved to Devils Lake where she attended and graduated from St Mary’s Academy High School. During those years she worked at Rexall Drug, Woolworth’s, and Mercy Hospital as a nurse’s aide. She was involved in cheerleading for basketball games where she met her boyfriend and future husband, Albert Hoistad, Jr.
Helen and Al were married on June 26, 1950, and started to live and farm in Degroat Township. In the fall of 1958, they moved to Dry Lake Township near Penn. They continued farming until they retired in 1993. Throughout those years of farm life Mom was dedicated to the family. She supported our father with the farming activities and made sure her boys were ready for school and participated in school activities. She was active in Chain Lakes Homemakers and took up an interest in art – drawing, painting, along with sewing, meanwhile helping with the farm responsibilities. Mom’s upbringing in Catholicism was a foundation of her life and began a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and a faith-based relationship.
In 2002, Dad and Mom moved to Lolo, MT. During the retirement years of life, mom enjoyed painting, and was an avid reader until her vision declined. She enjoyed talking about many topics while drinking coffee or tea and going for a walk or playing some Pinochle. In December 2021 she moved to Lynnwood, WA. She fostered throughout all her life the drive to wanting to learn more and a strong desire to connect with people.
Mom is survived by her three sons – Dean and his wife Meredith (Missoula, MT), Dale and his wife Denys (Mukilteo, WA) and Dick (Seattle, WA). She had three grandsons – Michael (Boise, ID), Benjamin and Nathanael (Mukilteo). She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Hoistad Jr. and her infant daughter, Sandra Marie. Mom was one of six siblings born to Philomena and Joseph Wentz. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sisters – Frances, Kathryn and her brothers – Leo, Edward, and Wilbur. She was the last of her family of origin. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of our mom and dad’s lives together will be during the summer 2023 in Devils Lake, ND. The family requests no memorials be sent. We ask instead that you remember Helen by planting something for yourself and /or your family – a flower, shrub, a tree, or anything that grows. We suggest at the same time you plant a personal dream as well and be reminded of that dream as the plant grows. In this manner, Helen’s memory will be honored.
