Hustad, Helen Louise (Peterson) 1930 - 2024

HUSTAD, PETERSON, BAUMGARTNER, JOHNSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/21/2024 at 11:58:18

Helen Louise Peterson Hustad – August 19, 1930 – March 7, 2024

The heavenly chorus welcomed a gifted soprano in the early morning of March 7. Helen passed quietly from this life into the eternal, having suffered a stroke. She slipped away while listening to her beloved Luther College choirs She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jack; her children, Mikkel (Dorothy Baumgartner), Anne-Lise Johnson (Kurt), and Kristor; grandchildren, Kari and Annika Hustad and Peder Johnson; brother Dr. Hamlet (Suzanne) Peterson; and countless friends, family, and associates whom she loved and supported with grace, compassion, and joy. She was preceded in death by her parents Thelma (Olson) and Hamlet “Coach Pete” Peterson and her brother Luther.

Helen was born and raised in Decorah, Iowa. “Coach Pete” worked for Luther College, so Helen grew up on and close to the Campus. Her parents were Resident Heads of Larson Hall, where the family lived several years. She received piano lessons from Faculty member Weston Noble (who seemed not many years older than her). From the age of 14 she worked as a lifeguard at the pool. After graduating ;from Decorah High School in 1948, Helen attended Luther, with At that time, athletic teams were not offered for women. She participated in choir, theater, oratory and forensics. Helen and her forensics team-mates received national recognition for their performance at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament. She graduated from Luther in 1952 with Majors in Physical Education and English with a Minor in Theater.

After teaching High School Physical Education in Duluth and Minneapolis she began an advanced degree in Physical Education at the University of Minnesota with an eye toward the growing field of women’s athletics. Helen’s life took a dramatic turn when, arriving one fall evening for Choir rehearsal, she parked her ‘57 two-door Thunderbird convertible next to the Thunderbird of the new Associate Pastor at University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minneapolis. Apparently, Senior Pastor David Preus foresaw the writing on the wall. When he saw the two cars in the parking lot, he was heard to groan “Uh Oh”. Along with their Thunderbirds, Helen and Jack Hustad were married on July 30, 1960.

After a year of Graduate Study in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jack was called to start a new congregation: Atonement Lutheran Church in the new “bedroom” community of Overland Park (Kansas City) KS. Graciousness, hospitality, and service were important attributes Helen shared with others, and these gifts helped the congregation thrive. A gifted musician, she led worship from the organ and directed several choirs. Many friendships continue to the present day.

In the early 1970’s, Helen helped her mother build Vanberia, a successful Norwegian import store in Decorah. Helen accompanied her parents on several trips to Norway. Meeting and negotiating with business owners and vendors who were often amazed that such a prominent importer of goods was located in a town of less than 7,500 people. Vanberia became a popular and nationally sought-after retailer of Nordic and Scandinavian culture and fashion for nearly 60 years.

Jack served as Director of Evangelism for the American Lutheran Church, headquartered in Minneapolis. Helen focused on raising the family. After two of the children developed Diabetes, Helen was committed to Diabetes education and advocated for preventive efforts. She was actively involved at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and directed choirs at Colonial Church of Edina.

In 1974 Jack and Helen returned to Congregational Ministry at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. Youth and family activities were a hallmark at “First”; Helen directed choirs and youth musicals. She sang with Geneva Eschweiler, and pursued organ lessons in Moorhead.

During a frigid February in 1979 the Jack received a Call to the more temperate climes of Seattle, WA. Helen’s fiftieth birthday was spent hiking on Mount Baker. Helen took an active part in many of the music and social programs at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach. Their Marriage Encounter group continues to meet! Helen co-hosted a television program about religion and affiliated events around the Pacific Northwest called “Northwest Encounter”.

Jack was a delegate to the World Council of Churches Assembly in Vancouver, Canada in 1983 where Helen developed numerous international friendships. As a travel agent, she led over 20 tour groups to Russia. She was an ardent supporter of improving relations between the United States and the Soviet Union and building connections with Russian culture and the many diverse people there. This emphasis was evident in her support of the SeattleTashkent Sister City program, The Seattle Peace Chorus, the Seattle-St. Petersburg sister church organization, and the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis, MN.

In 1990, Jack was called to international ministry through the American Foreign Christian Union (AFCU) to serve a three-year term at The International Church of Copenhagen, an English language congregation, and a shared ministry of the Danish Church and American Lutheran Church. More than a gathering of individuals representing American businesses in Denmark, and a few expats, the ICC is a dynamic international worshiping community of people. As a result they were drawn to serve in new ways through international ministry. They went on to serve in over a dozen foreign countries on four continents and on several ELCA church boards.

Luther College was an integral part of Helen for her entire life. She served two terms on Luther College’s Board of Regents, and made countless connections on behalf of Luther world-wide. She received a Distinguished Service award from Luther in 2002.

Helen was steadfast in her faith, loved the arts, and was committed to making this world a better place. A memorial worship service giving thanks for Helen’s life, love, and service will be held Friday, September 20, at 11 a.m. at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina. The service will be followed by food, fellowship, and sharing the hospitality that was such an integral part of Helen’s life. The service will be live-streamed at normluth.org/livestream.

Internment will be at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah on Saturday, September 21, at 1 p.m. Reception is following in the Gathering Room at the Vesterheim Museum, Amdahl Building. A memorial service was held in Richmond Beach on June 8 and can be viewed at youtube.com@flrb.

In lieu of flowers we ask you to choose a charity of your choice that celebrates, advances, or supports: your church, your faith, art, education equality, helping the less fortunate, or a cause that is close to your heart. The family would welcome gifts to Luther College, Decorah, IA, or the ELCA Global Mission Fund. Helen’s final gift was to donate her body for medical research through BioGift Anatomical.

Source: Decorah Newspapers Sept. 19, 2024