Helen Osterberg

Helen Frances Osterberg, 87, Alexandria, died on December 22, 2010 at Douglas County Hospital after a long illness. Helen was born on July 23, 1923 on a farm near Millerville, MN to Adolph T. and Helen (Loeffler) Wagner. She was the second of six children. She grew up in Millerville and moved to Alexandria at age 15 to start working as a nanny. She worked at the Alexandria Hotel, then began work as a waitress at Osterberg?s Caf� in 1941 where she met her husband, Sonny. Sonny and Helen were married on May 27, 1947 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Alexandria. She was a full time wife and mother raising their five children. In 1961 the family moved to Fergus Falls to operate Osterberg?s Caf� until returning to Alexandria in 1965. Helen supported Sonny in the operation of Hillside Supper Club, and later, Fireside Steakhouse. She also worked as cashier at Osterberg?s Caf� in Alexandria for many years. Helen liked to play cards like Whist, Bridge and 500. She especially loved to play the board game Tripoly with her family at all the holiday gatherings. Her favorite places to visit were Duluth, where she and Sonny spent their honeymoon, and the annual family trip to Itasca State Park. As an avid baseball fan, she enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play the game and watched almost every Twins game on TV. Helen was a long time member of St. Mary?s Catholic Church, active with Christian Mothers. She loved praying the rosary on a daily basis. Helen is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Richard ?Sonny? Osterberg of Alexandria; sons Patrick (Stephanie), Paul (Bobbie), and Peter Osterberg, also of Alexandria; daughters Leann (Virgil) Lerud of Union, ND and Mary (Leroy) Bowder of Ypsilanti, ND; nine grandchildren, Justin (Jessica), Cate, Richard (Jennie), Stephen, Kirstin, Nathan and Molly Osterberg; Kendra (Seth) Hahn, and Seth Bowder; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Adolph (Jan) Wagner of Alexandria and Jerry (Ellie) Wagner of Foley, MN and sister Erna (Bill) Schmidtbauer of Little Falls, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding her in death were her parents, infant son Richard, and two sisters, Laverne Moline and Verene Wagner. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, December 30 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church with Father Steve Binsfeld officiating. Pallbearers were grandchildren Justin, Richard and Nathan Osterberg, and Seth Bowder; nephews Chuck Osterberg and Bob Osterberg. Entombment was at St. Mary?s Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements were with Anderson Funeral Home.