Helen Evangeline Munson

Helen Evangeline Munson, 91 of Duluth, passed away Saturday May 3rd in Duluth.

Helen was born in Moline, Illinois, on April 23, 1934, to Rev. Carl and Ethel Sandgren. She graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1952 and went on to earn a B.A. in Social Work from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1956. It was at Gustavus where she met and married the love of her life, Roger L. Munson, on September 9, 1956. They shared 68 wonderful years of marriage.

Following their wedding, Helen and Roger moved to Rock Island, Illinois, where she began her career as a social worker in child welfare, as Roger earned a bachelor of divinity at the Augustana Lutheran Seminary. They relocated to California, and Helen continued her social work in San Bernardino County child welfare and adoptions, as Roger was serving in pastoral ministry. They lived, worked and started their family in Riverside and Hanford California. After moving to Excelsior and Duluth Minnesota several years later, Helen worked at St. Luke’s Hospital as a secretary in the anesthesiology department.

Helen was an active member of the PEO (Duluth Chapter) and had a passion for travel. Together they covered all of the US and Europe and parts of China. She cherished her time at their cabin, enjoyed flower gardening, and loved spending quality moments with her family.

An active member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Lakeside and the “Chapel” at Pequaywan Lake, Helen’s faith was an important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Peterson. Helen is survived by her husband, Rev. Roger; her sons, Carl (Luann), of Duluth, Mark (April) of Venice, Florida, and William (Deann) of Duluth; and her four grandchildren: Alex, Aunika, Tanner and Jorgen Munson.

Helen’s family extends their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at Ecumen Lakeshore for their wonderful and loving care.

Visitation will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Duluth on June 3 from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am Celebration of Life Service, officiated by Pastor Dave Mesner. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. A private burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to the charity of your choice or the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Helen’s memory.