Helen “Susan” Elvine (Sand) Amundson, age 94 of Westbrook, formerly of Dovray, passed away Friday, October 8, 2021 at Our House Hospice of Murray County in Slayton, while surrounded by her children.  Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray, with a livestream available on the Our Saviors Lutheran Church-Dovray, MN Facebook Page.  Visitation will be held 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 14 at the church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Friday.  Burial is in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements

Helen “Susan” Elvine (Sand) Amundson was born December 3, 1926 in Tracy, Minnesota to John and Christine (Bredevine) Sand. She was baptized on December 23, 1926 at Hoiland Lutheran Church near Garvin, Minnesota and was later confirmed there as a young woman. She attended Garvin Public School District 47 through the 8^th grade, and graduated from Tracy High School in 1944. Helen then went to work for the Garvin Co-op Elevator. On June 15, 1947 she was united in marriage to Lewis Kermit Amundson and she quickly learned how to live the farm life. As Helen and Lewis welcomed children, she stayed at home and was an expert mother and farm wife. When their children grew up and left the house, Helen then went to work at Fingerhut in Windom, and later the Westbrook Lumberyard. She had natural talent when it came to baking. She made many batches of Lefse, sweet rolls, Swedish tea rings, bread, donuts, Resk, and Fattigmand.  Helen loved to garden, and grew a bountiful harvest each year that she canned and preserved. Her children recall countless articles of clothing lovingly sewn by Helen. Her faith was of utmost importance to her as a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray. She was active in ELCW, choir, adult Sunday School, smorgasbords, and chaperoned a Luther League canoe trip. She was also a member of VERCLAMERS, TOPS, and volunteered at the Dovray Café. Helen enjoyed going for walks, golfing, playing cards, and entertaining her family on the piano. She also liked watching game shows on television, visiting with family and friends, and being at the cabin on Lake Shetek. She and Lewis loved to travel. Their favorite destinations were Norway and spending many winters in Texas. When her children asked what final advice she would like to leave, Helen responded “always treat others as you want to be treated.”

Helen is survived by her children: Sharon Amundson of Westbrook, Paula (Don) Paplow of Dundee, Pamela (Bill) Sweetman of Long Lake, John Amundson of Westbrook, and Sheri Amundson of Boise; 8 grandchildren: Johanna (Michael) Leonelli, Adam (Paola) Pinkert, Christopher (Amy) Paplow, Matthew (Ellen) Sweetman, Michael (Kelli) Sweetman, Eric (Brittany) Hanson, Whitney (Andrew) Madsen, and Amber (Alex) Wendel; 13 great-grandchildren: Ella Leonelli, Walter Sweetman, Jenna Paplow, Jeannie Sweetman, Ava Leonelli, Blake Paplow, Ramona Sweetman, Sophie Paplow, Margaret Sweetman, Halle Paplow, Kaitlyn Hanson, Adam Hanson, and Willa Madsen; and numerous very special nieces and nephews whom she treasured as her own.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lewis, sister Gladys “Sandy” (Bud) Hanson, and siblings-in-law: Aron (Darlene) Amundson, Mavis (Elmer) Anderson, and Jerome (Evelyn) Amundson.