Helen Nordlund-Beltramo

I was born at our home in Sturgeon Township. I watched baby brother Leo while my parents were busy with farm chores and duties. I went to school #33 until 7th grade and had skipped first and third grades being the only child in those grades. In 1927 when School #45 in Alango was built I spent three years there and then went to 8th grade in Buhl. In 1931, I graduated from Chisholm High School. I excelled in swimming and diving as me and brother John had learned to swim well in the creek behind our homestead. Week ends fell into a pettern of following the Nordlund dance orchestra. Reino Nordlund, brother of the band members was a great dancer. Reino and I were married and had a nice wedding dance at the Alango Hall. We bought 120 acres of land on Heino Road and farmed this property until Reino died. We had cattle and Holstein milk cows. Reino also owned a lumber sawmill for several years. He later suffered from Parkinson's disease and had surgery for this in Mayo. I loved to draw and paint since girlhood and loved natures animals besides my farmstock and chickens, fishing, and traveling. I was active in many local activities and clubs. Each day was a good one and I saw life that way. I always had a ready smile and laugh. When I married Costonzo, we sold his place and he moved to my farm, built a new garage, and improved the house. We enjoyed fishing and traveling and went to Dollywood, the Grand Old Opry, Branson, Missouri, Eureka springs, Arkansas and other trips. In later years after Costanzo died, I moved to Princeton to live with our daughter Margaret and her husband John.