Maxie Helbling

Maxie Helbling, 106, Mandan, died peacefully August 5, 2024, after a brief stay at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with Rev. Josh Waltz as celebrant. Burial will be held in Mandan Union Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held Friday, August 9, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a former Catholic Daughters Rosary and Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. 

 Magdalena Morrell was born November 8, 1917, in St. Anthony, the daughter of Joseph and Philomena (Schaff) Morrell. Raised in the area, she attended public and parochial schools near St. Anthony. She was known as “Maxie,” a nickname received from her third-grade teacher. She lived on the family farm southwest of St. Anthony until she was 20. Maxie married Stanley Helbling on June 6, 1938, in St. Anthony. 

 Maxie was a lifelong member of St. Joseph church and Catholic Daughters of America (since 1950). She was an amazing cook and baker who loved to host family and friends for both large holiday gatherings and casual card parties. She kept an immaculate home and also made beautiful embroidered and crocheted items for her family. She and Stanley danced with friends at the Bismarck Eagles most Saturday nights, playing endless rounds of pinochle during the band’s breaks. Following Stanley’s retirement in 1977, they enjoyed traveling with many good friends, visiting Hawaii, Alaska, Austria, France, Germany, and Netherlands. 

 The family wishes to express special gratitude to Baptist Health & Rehab in Bismarck for caring for Maxie as one of their own the past seven years. Their support helped us stay connected to Maxie over many miles and many years, extending the years we were able to shower her with love.

 Maxie is survived by her three children, Jerry Helbling, Bismarck, Vern (Monica) Helbling, Los Angeles, CA, and MaryJane (Benjamin) Griffith, Turnersville, N.J.; her granddaughters, Verna Helbling (Todd Hulce), Los Angeles, CA, and Jessica (Esen Onur) Howell, Arlington Va.; great-granddaughters, Sophia Onur and Ella Onur, Arlington VA; sister-in-law, Hildegard (Mel) Palin, Lolo, MT; brother-in-law, Alfred Helbling, El Cajon, CA.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Philomena (Schaff) Morrell; four brothers, Roy (Tillie) Morrell, Martin (Eva) Morrell, Erasmus (Theresa) Morrell, Dominick (Magdalen) Morrell; five sisters, Pauline (John) Schaff, Eva (John) Herauf, Barbara (Frank) Napora, Thekla (Martin) Kruger, Frances (Ralph) Heck; and an infant daughter.