Helen Bye

Helen Marjorie Bye, 85, of Crookston, MN and formerly of Devils Lake, ND, died at her residence Monday morning, November 18, 2013. For the past year she had been making her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Toby and Dennis Magsam. Helen was born in Devils Lake on February 16, 1928, the daughter of Henry and Barbara (Steffen) Englehart. She grew up there, was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and attended Devils Lake schools. Helen was employed at the Woolworth's Store in Devils Lake until her marriage to Howard Rudolph Bye on October 7, 1947. Their marriage was blessed by the births of 9 children. The couple farmed northeast of Crary, ND for a few years before moving to the Euclid, MN area, settling on a farm east of town. In addition to the farming operation, they also had dairy cattle and did custom combining. Helen was a devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Euclid, and a founding member of the Crookston Chapter of the Catholic Daughters. From 1973 to 1976, Helen and Howard also owned and operated Barb's Cafe in Angus, MN. After retiring from farming in 1990 they moved back to Devils Lake, and enjoyed life together until Howard's passing on June 5, 1993. Helen remained in Devils Lake where she spent countless hours volunteering her time and talents at St. Joseph's. She also served as a sacristan to the parish priest for 5 years, and was a member of St. Jude's Circle. In October of 2012 Helen moved to Crookston in order to be closer to her family. She had been attending the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception during her time in Crookston. Helen was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary, through which she had been recognized as a Gold Star Mother for the past 45 years. Helen lived a life in which her family came first. When describing their mother, her kids spoke proudly about her as a gentle, yet strong woman, a "one of a kind" mother, and a very special presence in their lives. Her love for her children, grandchildren and great-grand children, also grew to embrace her many "adopted" kids as well. Helen's memory will be forever treasured by all who were touched by her life. Loving family members include her children: Mikal Bye (daughter-in-law) of Leesburg, FL, Chuck (Sue) Bye of Montevideo, MN, Carol (Jim) Futch of Wheatland, WY, Toby (Dennis) Magsam of Crookston, MN, Darrell (Joanne) Bye of Cambridge, MN, Rick (Carol) Bye of Warren, MN, Jan (Jeff) Gustafson of Cambridge, MN, and Bill (Tracy) Bye of Andover, MN; 17 grandchildren: Dawn Marie (Jason) Helton, Roy (Dalice) Estes, Jason (Lisa) Bye, Darin (Belinda) Bye, Shawna Johnson, Nikki (Harvey) Holter, Sheila (Pat) Duffy, Matt Futch (Micah), Troy (Staci) Magsam, Tracey (Justin) Knutson, Heather (Kevin) Kollbaum, Amber Lamb, Todd (Molly) Bye, Brian Bye, Eric (Stacy) Kramer, Angela Kramer (Jeremy), and Brittany Maijala; and 26 great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by 2 sisters and a brother: Fran (Don) Farmen of Costa Mesa, CA, Jenny Pulst of Devils Lake, ND, and Bob (Carolyn) Englehart of Fergus Falls, MN; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bud Eng of Thousand Oaks, CA, Sylvia Conlon of Devils Lake, Duane (Marge) Bye of Devils Lake, Gen Estenson of Danville, CA, and Glady Brand of Minot, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to Howard, her loving husband of 45 years, Helen was preceded in death by 2 sons, Robert "Skip" Bye and Ronald Bye; her parents, Henry and Barbara Englehart; 2 sisters and 2 brothers: Jeanne Axtman, Charles Englehart, Henry Englehart Jr., and Vivian Eng. May God bless the memory of Helen Marjorie Bye. Helen Bye's life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2013, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with visitation for one hour prior to the funeral. Visitation for Helen will be held in her hometown of Devils Lake, ND at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Friday, November 29, 2013 from 4-8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. Interment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery in Crookston.



Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, November 29, 2013
Service
Saturday, November 30, 2013
cemetery
Saturday, November 30, 2013