Helmi Swanson Savage

Helmi Swanson Savage, 99 1/2 of Cloquet, died Friday, October 9, 2015 in Country Living Elder Care in Milaca. She was born March 22, 1916 in Clinton, Indiana to Fred and Kaisa Koski. When Helmi was 2 years old, the family moved to Stoney Brook Township, 10 miles west of Cloquet. During the fire of 1918, the family of six was saved when their father, Fred Koski, hid them in a root cellar on their farm. Helmi went to #27 school near their home for 8 years. When she was 12 years old, she went out into the world to work. She did housework and cared for small children and adults unable to care for themselves, until she started working at the Diamond Match mill in Cloquet when she was 16 years old. She met and married David Swanson of Cloquet in 1940. They had one child, Wanita. Dave, Helmi and Wanita went on train trips to California and Washington state to visit relatives and friends. David passed away in 1977. Several years passed before she married Alex Savage, who had been a friend of the family for many years. She loved to read, embroider, sew and work on numerous craft projects. She was a master at Bingo and loved the camaraderie of the game. Helmi had a terrific sense of humor and was always happy to be around friends. Another of her favorite activities was going to the Senior Citizens Center to eat and joke around with her friends there. During the 70 years she was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, she was active in Ladies Aid, Sunday School and many other activities until she was not physically able to participate in them. She loved her family, friends, church, and her flower gardens. Helmi was preceded in death by her husband, David Swanson; second husband, Alex Savage; brothers, Sanfred, Swandi and Gustav; sisters, Jenny Williams, Bertha Presthang, and Martha Kesti. She is survived by her daughter, Wanita (Dick) Roe of Shakopee; four grandchildren, Alan (Valerie), Robin, Tracey and Deanna Anderson; 12 great grandchildren, David, Melissa, Melinda, Jennifer, Scott, Michael, JC, McKenzie, Blake, Grant, Bryana and Branden; sister, Esther Fisk of Tacoma, Washington; and nieces and nephews. She looked forward to being with her family and friends who have gone before her, to live with the Lord her Savior in heaven. Visitation: 10 until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service Thursday, October 15, 2015 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Cloquet. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Savior's Lutheran Church. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com