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Shogren, Helen M. (Sally), age 89, of Lindstrom, passed away peacefully March 26, 2008. She was born on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1918, to Swedish Immigrant parents Claus and Sophie Warndahl.

When Helen was 14-months-old, her mother became ill and Helen was sent to live with her maternal aunt and uncle, Emma and Charles Akerlund. She remained with them and became their daughter. Referring to her parents, she would always say "they were so good to me."

Helen attended a one-room country school, known as Reed's School for her eighth grade education. She then attended and graduated from Taylors Falls High School. As a child she was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Almelund and was a member of the last confirmation class to be confirmed in Swedish.

Helen fulfilled her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse after attending training at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul. Her nursing career included private duty, school nursing for the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri, supervisory duties, and industrial nursing at the Twin Cities Arsenal and FMC Northern Ordinance in Fridley, from which she retired.

Helen married Evan Shogren October 4, 1942, shortly after he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon his return from overseas, they lived in Minneapolis and Almelund before moving to Lindstrom in 1946. This union was blessed with two children, son Charles and daughter Chris Ann.

Helen served as the Service Chairperson for the Chisago County Unit of the American Cancer Society for 25 years and also served two three-year terms on the Minnesota State Board of the American Cancer Society. She was a den mother for the local Cub Scouts and later was a troop leader for Girl Scouts. She taught Sunday School, served on the Altar Guild and belonged to the Miriam Circle at Trinity Lutheran Church. She also served on the American Red Cross Blood Donation Drive.

After the death of her husband, she was an active volunteer for the Adult Day Care Unit of the Salvation Army, and more recently was part of the Chisago County Unit of the Salvation Army.

Helen will be remembered as a great lady who performed many acts of kindnesses. Her most recent act of generosity was donating her body to the Mayo Foundation.

Preceded in death by parents Charles and Emma, beloved husband Evan, brothers: Fritz Herberg, Fred, Carl, Gus and Bob Warndahl; sisters: Edith Dosch and infant sister Victoria.

She will be greatly missed by son Charles (Barb) Shogren, daughter Chris Ann (Steve) Dahlberg, granddaughter Amanda Dahlberg, grandson Peter Evan Dahlberg, sister Em Riley, many nieces and nephews, godchildren Karen Carlson, Laurie Warndahl and Connie Campbell, cousin Paul Wahlquist, beloved cousins in Sweden, and many dear friends.

A memorial service celebrating Helen's life will be held on what would have been her 90th birthday Monday, April 14, at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom. Visitation will be Sunday, April 13, 7-9 p.m., at the church.

Memorials preferred to the Salvation Army or the American Cancer Society.

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