Helen Anna Glawe

Helen Nicklay Glawe, age 101, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2014 at Villa Maria in Fargo, ND. Visitation will be Thursday, March 27 at Riverview Place, Fargo, ND from 6-8 pm with a Rosary at 6:30 pm and a prayer service at 7 pm with Father Duane Pribula presiding. Funeral Mass will be Friday, March 28 at 11 am at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville, MN with Father Gary LaMoine presiding. Helen was born August 9, 1912 in Crookston, MN to John J. and Josephine (Bernatsky) Nicklay, the second oldest of 5 children. She attended Cathedral Elementary and graduated from Mount Saint Benedict Academy in Crookston, with a Teacher Training certificate. She then began her 28 year teaching career in rural schools in Clay, Wilkin and Becker counties. While teaching in those early years she was custodian, heating engineer, music director, nurse, disciplinarian, counselor, sports referee, play director and instructor in all subject areas for all 8 grades. She expanded her teacher career by attending evening and summer classes at Moorhead State College. While in Wilkin County she was named Teacher of the Year. Helen also taught 6th grade at Atkinson Elementary in Barnesville, MN. Even after her retirement, she was always a "teacher" and touched the lives of hundreds of individuals during her many years of educating others. In 1961, she married Thomas (Bud) Glawe. She continued teaching and farming with Bud near Barnesville until his passing in 1974. Helen was always very involved in her community. She was awarded a life-time membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, where she served for over 50 years. During that time, she served as president, vice president, historian, and secretary of the Barnesville Unit. She went on to hold positions as 9th District President, chairman of Child Welfare, American ism, Membership and Girl State Committees, vice president, executive board member, color bearer, delegate for National conventions, chaplain and secretary at the district level. She was active member of Assumption Catholic Church where she played the organ, helped with the annual Rollag Steam Threshing Reunion, served as lector, communion minister, circle leader, secretary, treasurer, CCD teacher and member of the Assumption School Board. In 1999, she was named Fraternalist of the Year in the National Catholic Society of Foresters where she had also served as president, secretary and committee chairman. Helen was active in Royal Neighbors of America and the Senior Center where she helped with blood drives and meals-on-wheels. She was also a member of the Barnesville City Planning Board for several years. In 1996, Helen was named Clay County Senior Citizen of the Year and was recognized at the Minnesota State Fair for her community involvement. Helen enjoyed many hobbies: such as, bird watching, bowling and playing Bingo. Her love of hand work resulted in many hours of quilting, embroidery and crocheting. Gifting family and friends with her projects was always met with admiration and appreciation. In 2000, Helen moved to Riverview Place in Fargo and quickly became involved in the many activities offered there. She served as daily Mass lector and volunteered at the Gift Shop and Apple Dumpling Days. When Riverview's Giving + Learning Program was nationally recognized in 2005, Helen was featured on the televised Public Broadcasting Documentary entitled: The Open Road: America Looks at Aging, developed by the White House Conference on Aging. It praised the fact, that in her 90's, Helen continued to use her educating abilities, to teach new American's from Bosnia and Africa to read and speak English. Involvement in the world around her was always important to Helen as she always kept current with local and national news events. She had a delightful sense of humor and would have lively conversations with friends and family. Helen was an avid Minnesota Twins baseball fan, and rarely missed a televised or broadcast game during the season. She was particularly proud to have her name announced at a game on her 100th birthday. Helen was an avid letter writer and kept in communication with hundreds of friends and family over her lifetime. She was an avid card sender and religiously remembered birthdays and other special events in the lives of others. She made special efforts to attend baptisms, confirmations, graduations and weddings of her family and friends. She had a great love of family and shared a special relationship with her nieces: Jean and Lindsey Wolf, who were like daughter and grand- daughter to her. She celebrated her life with a strong faith and positive attitude. Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Arthur Nicklay; nephew, John Nicklay (Lynne); sisters: Sr. Louise Nicklay OSB and Alice Miller; and her husband, Bud Glawe. Surviving her are her sister, Dorothy Marr; nieces: Jean (Frank) Wolf and Louise (Ralph) L'Allier; nephews: Donald Reese (Ruth) and Alan Reese (Sherry); and 27 great nieces and nephews; 20 great-great nieces and nephews; and 1 great-great-great niece. Each and every one were very special to her.