Helen B. Rickford

Helen Bernice Simenson was born March 6, 1913 on a farm near Binford, ND the daughter of Lewis and Anna (Trostad) Simenson. At the age of 5 her family moved to a farm near Glenfield, ND where she finished high school. She attended the Valley City State Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. She met Earl Rickford at Red Willow Lake and they were married July 2, 1940 in Detroit Lakes, MN. Helen taught school in various country schools, and later she taught in Binford, Kensal and Tolna for over twenty years. She then worked as a teller for the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Binford, ND. The couple lived on the family farm until 1975 when they moved into Binford. Earl and Helen spent winters in Weslaco, Texas where she took up painting. Helen was a member at West Prairie Lutheran Church and later at Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford, ND. Earl passed way June 2, 2005. Helen continued to make her home in Binford. She passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in her home in Binford, ND. Helen enjoyed cooking, sewing, dancing, reading, visiting, playing cards and listening to Earl play his banjo. She was a wonderful hostess, fabulous cook and was well known for her pies, lefse and flatbread, Helen was a loving mother and grandmother. Her generosity and kindness were always apparent in her smile. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Helen is survived by her son William (Cheryl) Rickford, her daughter, Patty Hall both of Binford, ND. Five grandchildren, Christine (Larry) Oien, Ogden, IA; Dr. Brian (Lynn) Hall, Georgetown, TX; Jodi (Mike) Flaagan, Thief River Falls, MN; Scott Rickford, Plymouth, MN; Stephanie (Damen) Kjervestad, West Fargo, ND; 11 great grandchildren; a sister Nora (Nordeen) Ronningen, Fargo, ND and Mesa AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Earl; great granddaughter Jesslyn Marie Oien, four brothers and three sisters. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Binford, ND. Visitation will be held Friday 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 Friday at 7:00 pm in the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Trinity Cemetery, Binford, ND Condolences can be sent to the family via the On-Line Tribute service at www.quamplaistedcushman.com