Helen Jane Walstad

Minot

Helen Jane (Jaynee) Walstad, 85, went to be with her Lord February 21, 2024, where she assured us that she would be finding her place in the celestial choir.

Helen Jane Winje was born to Robert (Bob) and Maxine Winje on October 21, 1938, in Minot, North Dakota. She moved with her mother and brother, Richard, to Williston, North Dakota, where her grandparents lived while her father fought in Europe during World War II. The family returned to Minot in 1949, and she was educated in the Minot Public School System, where she participated in various musical and theatrical events. She graduated as an honor student in 1956.

She enrolled in Minot State College and, in 1957, was chosen by Lawrence Welk from a number of talented women to represent Minot in the Miss North Dakota Pageant. She was crowned Miss North Dakota and went on to the Miss America Pageant, where she was recognized for her singing talent and was one of four contestants to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1958, she married Gene Harrington, and they lived in Fargo for a year as they both attended North Dakota State University. The couple returned to Minot, where their three sons, Jeffrey, Brian, and John, were raised. The family enjoyed activities at the Harrington Ranch, The Minot Country Club, and their cabin at Lake Metigoshe. They were members of First Lutheran Church, where Jaynee served on the Altar Guild and was a regular member of the choir, often featured as a soloist. She was also a part of the Chamber Chorale, a group of talented singers who gave concerts throughout the year, with a highlight during the holiday season, the Madrigal Dinner.

She delivered Meals on Wheels multiple years and was an active member of PEO Chapter AL in Minot (and later Chapter DC in Minnesota), where she often served as an officer.

From 1979 to 1990, she was one of the teachers of Escuela Preschool, where she utilized her musical and artistic skills.

Her husband, Gene, died in 1991. In 1994 she married Richard (Dick) Walstad, her high school prom date, in Fargo, North Dakota. The two became members of First Lutheran Church there, where Jaynee enjoyed years of participating in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).

Both avid golfers, she and Dick played many courses in the western United States and in Hawaii. During one of their visits to Hawaii, they had the chance to walk a practice round with Jack Nicklaus and chat about his game. He signed her cherished visor.

In Fargo, she volunteered for several years at the Roger Maris Cancer Center. She became one of the key organizers of the Fargo AirSho and of the Air Museum. She served as the executive coordinator of the Fargo AirSho and took care of the many details required to put on what was recognized as one of the best air shows in the country in an award from the Blue Angels. In addition, she was one of five people in the early meetings of the Fargo Air Museum and served as recording secretary of that organization. Over the years, she attended over 40 air shows in 12 different locations, including England.

She served as executive coordinator for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee when Dick was chairman for North Dakota. In that role, she helped organize “Boss Lifts” aboard Air Force KC-135’s to take North Dakota employers to military bases to observe the kind of activities that their employees go through when they serve their country in the military.

She was a loving grandma and aunt to all her grandkids, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She loved attending recitals and special gatherings. She baked many a pie for holiday dinners.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Maxine; her husband, Gene; and her son, Jeffrey.

She is survived by her husband, Dick; her sons, Brian (Shelley) Harrington, and John Harrington; grandchildren, Jacob, Lucas, and Noah Harrington, Jessie (Anthony) DeGiulio, and Parker, Davis and JJ Harrington; brother, Richard (Judy) Winje, also, by Dave (Rachel) Walstad; and children, Mitchell and Megan and Amy (Jeff) Purrington and children, Isy and Elsie.

A memorial service will be held March 4, 2024, at 10:00 am at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, with a visitation one hour prior. There will be a celebration of Jaynee’s life at the Fargo Air Museum on April 15 at 11:00 am, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory and share stories of her remarkable life. Burial will be at Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials might be sent in her honor to Hospice of Red River Valley, Fargo Air Museum, or a place of your choosing.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND.

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 24, 2024.