HELEN SAYER

HELEN SAYER Helen Maybelle Sayer passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown, ND. Helen was born on August 20, 1924 to Walter and Maybelle Hornig in Alemeda, CA. She graduated in January, 1942, from North Hollywood High School in North Hollywood, CA. She received her Associate of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1944 and in 1947 a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a minor in English from the University of North Dakota. She was often teased by her family as being the first, if not the only, UCLA to UND transfer student. In 1944 she met Leon Sayer Jr, a North Dakota native who was serving as a Lieutenant in the 13th Airborne Infantry, at a USO dance in Hollywood, CA. They were married on September 9, 1945 and moved to North Dakota where they both received their college degrees at UND. They lived in Finley, ND and Santa Maria, CA before settling in Cooperstown, ND. In Cooperstown, while Leon pursued his career in banking, Helen pursued her passion for music. She taught piano lessons for many years, was an organist at her beloved Presbyterian church for over 50 years, was choir director at her church and was founder as well as director of the Griggs County Council on the Arts Community Choir for over 30 years. Helen also was an active member in the North Dakota Piano Teachers Association, where she served a term as president, the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association, PEO, Eastern Star, the Cooperstown Community Club, the Griggs County Council on the Arts and she served on the Citizens State Bank Board of Directors for 21 years. In 1989 she received the North Dakota Governor’s Community Leadership Award. Like fellow members of her “Greatest Generation”, her love of God, country, family and community were evident in all her pursuits. Helen also was passionate about her winter home away from home, Hawaii, travel, her many pets, feeding the birds (also squirrels), her flower garden (pansies her favorite) and golf (well known for her putting skills). She will be remembered as a person who knew how to have and create fun for her family and friends. Helen is survived by her children David (Yvonne) Sayer Cooperstown, ND; Nicolette (Larry) Wathne Cooperstown, ND; Scott (Susan) Sayer Finley, ND; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Leon and brother Walter Jr. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. Visitation will be Friday March 13, 2015 from 5:00 till 7:00 in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 in the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Cooperstown Cemetery.