Alma Vanourny, 96, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Shock) Helfenstein, was born Dec. 4, 1916, on a farm 10 miles south of Ashley, N.D. She attended rural school in McPherson County, S.D., through the eighth grade, and worked on the family farm until she was old enough to work away from home. She then was a domestic assistant for many families. Her final job was as a waitress at the Ashley Hotel and restaurant, where she met her future husband, Herbert Vanourny.
Herbert and Alma were united in marriage March 6, 1945, at Ashley Baptist Church. After their marriage, they purchased their farm north of Forbes. Alma worked with Herbert in the fields, as well as milking cows by hand and raising chickens. They moved off the farm and into the city of Forbes in 1999, and to the independent living quarters at the Evergreen place in Ellendale in 2007. After Herbert's death in 2009, Alma moved upstairs to their assisted living facilities and, in 2012, to Prince of Peace, where she resided until her death May 18, 2013.
Alma was an outgoing, pleasant lady who loved to visit with people. She had many self-taught talents, including crocheting, sewing, quilting, canning and cooking. Her specialties were kuchen, dill pickles and many German dishes. In Forbes, she was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and a homemaker's club.
Grateful to have shared her life are three daughters: Sharon (Jim) Bohl of Lincoln, Neb., Bonnie (Kenny) Hochhalter of Arthur, N.D., and Candace Flakoll of Ames, Iowa; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Kathryn Janke; and two brothers, Peter and John Helfenstein. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; her parents; two sisters, Eva and Elizabeth; one brother, Fred; son-in-law, Paul Flakoll; and one grandchild.
The funeral is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Forbes, with Pastor Alan Eppen officiating. Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen. Visitation is from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday, with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m., at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel.
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