Helen Ardith Reynolds Wilson, 86, Minot, died January 2, 2012 in a Minot Medical center.
Helen was born in Thief River Falls, MN, on February 3, 1925. She was the youngest of four children born to Zane and Ruby (Quant) Reynolds. Her father died before she was 5 years old. Ruby remarried to Clarence Long. Helen grew up in the area of Kansas City, KS. At the age of 18, Helen married Worthy Grover Shaw on February 13, 1943 in Minneapolis, MN. Their only child, Kenneth Reynolds Shaw was born on November 22, 1943. Later in life, she met a special California neighbor, James Wilson. He was originally from Velva, ND. They were married in San Diego, CA in 1976. He was a veteran and survivor of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Helen and Jim were married over 25 years and enjoyed living by the coast in both California and Oregon.
Helen was a strong willed woman and at the age of 76, she decided to move across country to Minot to live by her daughter-in-law. This was after the death of her husband and son in 2000 and 2001, respectfully. At this stage in her life, she was fortunate to be able to get to know her grandsons and great-grandchildren. Helen loved animals and always had a tender spot in her heart for them. May she rest in peace!
Helen is survived by her daughter-in-law, Sharon Shaw, Glenburn, ND; grandsons, Scott (Sonja) Shaw, Springfield, MO, Brian (Tracy) Shaw, Owatonna, MN, and Darren (Heather) Shaw, Barnesville, MN; great-grandchildren, Payton, Paige, and Carson Shaw, all of Springfield, MO, Cody Shaw, Owatonna, MN, Madison and Mason Shaw, both of Barnesville, MN; special friends, Gary and Mary Angell, Garrison, ND.
Graveside service will be Friday, February 17, 2012, at 2:00 pm at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND, officiated by Helen’s grandson, Darren Shaw.
