Helen Pearl Sundberg

Celebrating the life of.... Helen Pearl Sundberg, 94, a resident of Fergus Falls and Mill Street Residence, transitioned from earth to heaven on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Although she will be missed by family and friends, she looked forward to her eternal home in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and her many family and friends who have preceded her.

She was born on July 30, 1931, at her family's farm in New York Mill in Ottertail County to Herman and Ruth Ehnert. She was the fourth child of six children. Her early life demonstrated her deep love for family, which she carried over to her own family, raising both Mike and Debbie. She had five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

After the death of her mother, she helped raise her two younger brothers, Loren and Ronald Ehnert. She attended New York Mills High School, graduating in 1949 with high honors. Eventually, as she moved into her late teens, she met her future husband, Paul, at the New York Mills Roller Skating Rink. The two were engaged before Paul was drafted into the army during the Korean War. During Paul's leave of absence, she married Paul on August 23, 1952, having organized the wedding on a three days' notice, when Paul said, "Let's get married." She, then, went wedding dress shopping with her dad, Herman. After Paul returned from military duty, she attended Wadena Community College for two years. She and Paul lived in several towns and cities during their married life: Bemidji, Wadena, Moorhead, Fergus Falls, and Maine, Minnesota. They also lived in Portland, Oregon for a short time.

She began a professional career after Mike and Debbie began attending secondary schools. She worked for the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Department in Fargo, North Dakota. Her paychecks helped fund the college education for both Mike and Debbie.

Her personal life was full of many activities. She was an excellent cook and baker, making delicious meals and baking pies and pastries, which many people devoured enthusiastically. She belonged to a monthly quilting group, where she created some beautiful quilts. For each of her grandchildren's graduation, she created a personalized quilt. She was also known as a person who loved to gather the family to play games during the holidays or weekends at their lake home at Pickerel Lake. She regularly played several card games like Rook, Whist, and Bridge. She and Paul were life-long members at Maine Presbyterian Church, where she will be buried next to her beloved husband and other members of the family.

The family is grateful to Mill Street Residence for their loving care of Helen for the past three years of her life on earth. Memorials preferred to be sent to Samaritan's Purse or American Cancer Society.

Celebration of Life: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Mill Street Residence, 802 South Mill Street Fergus Falls, MN 56537. There will be lunch following the service at Mill Street.

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com