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Helen Backes, SMP, age 101, of Valley City, ND, died October 27, 2014 at Maryvale Convent in Valley City.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 31st at Maryvale Convent Chapel with Father Claude Seeberger, OSB celebrant.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Maryvale Convent Chapel and one hour before the service Friday morning.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday evening at Maryvale Convent Chapel.  Interment will be in Maryvale Convent Cemetery near Valley City.

Sister Helen Backes, the daughter of John and Gertrude (Willenbring) Backes, was born August 27, 1913 in Foxholm, ND.  She was the youngest of 8 children, six boys and two girls.  She attended grade school in a country school near her farm home near Lansford, ND.  She attended high school and was a boarder at Notre Dame in Willow City, ND.  She later graduated from St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Valley City, ND.  She professed her vows as a Sister of Mary of the Presentation on September 3, 1931 in Broons, France.  After her novitiate in France, she then returned to United States and began nurses training in Illinois.  She received her RN degree and later a graduated degree in Obstetrics in Peoria, IL.  She worked in hospitals (mostly the night shift) sponsored by the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation in Bottineau, ND, Harvey, ND, Rolla, ND and Spring Valley, IL.  In 1980, she moved to Maryvale Convent where she took care of the elderly and sick Sisters for 16 years.  She retired in May, 1996 at Maryvale Convent.

Sister Helen is survived by her Religious Community, the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation and several nieces and nephews.

Sister Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings.

Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home of Valley City, ND.  Online guestbook is available at lerudschuldt.com.