Helen Elizabeth Mostad

Helen Elizabeth Hansen Mostad peacefully entered her heavenly home on October 27th 2025 at the age of 94 years. She was born in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota on June 17, 1931 to her Danish immigrant parents Adolf and Elizabeth Hansen. At 3 years of age her family moved to Merced where there was a Danish community/church and Helen spent her school years there.

She was preceded in death by her dad just before her 14th birthday. The local Presbyterian church became a strong support for her and her family in that difficult time. She was involved in their youth program. In high school, she played softball in a summer league and was noted as hitting home runs to help out her team. Working in the peach sheds was her summer employment. She attended Whitworth Presbyterian College in Washington for a year then attended St. Francis Nursing School where she graduated and became a nurse. She returned to Merced where she began her nursing career at Mercy Hospital.

She met her husband, Dewey Dwain Mostad at Lake Yosemite in Merced. He was a young Air Force man who was stationed at Castle Air Force Base. They had a short engagement and were married on December 10, 1954 at the age of 23. In 1956 their first child, Christopher Paul was born at Mercy Hospital. She was preceded in death by her mother at this time. They moved to Mather Air Force Base for more training, and in 1958, their daughter, Holly Ann was born. Then it was a long trek across the states to Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire where Laura Jean was born in 1959. After 3 years they moved to California at Beale Air Force Base where they stayed for 5 years. There they connected strongly with other air force families and the First Lutheran Church creating wonderful memories and lifelong friends. She gave her kids wonderful birthday parties and sewed their clothes and their doll clothes. She was also honored to receive the Outstanding Young Woman of America award in 1965.

Their next assignment was 2 years at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam where Helen worked as a school nurse and a public health nurse. She would drive a jeep into the jungle to check on newborn babies. She was so good at helping others and loved the Guamanian people. For fun she took the opportunity to travel, with her family, to several Asian countries and learn about the different cultures.

In 1970 they returned to Beale Air Force Base and moved nearby to Yuba City where she and her husband retired and lived for the next 40+ years. These were more wonderful years. Helen loved being involved and helping people whether it was serving at the church potlucks and the Couple’s club or being involved in the Republican party and going to a National Convention in New Orleans. She continued her career as a nurse and developed an IV therapy department at the local hospital.

It was during these years that yearly traditions were established. With the help of her brother Paul, and his wife, Dora, we launched the infamous Turkey Bowl (1970) that included great food, a football game, and an award ceremony.These awards were often crazy and could be embarrassing for the newcomers. We spent summer weekends on a houseboat at Lake Oroville with family and friends. She and Dewey also began summer vacations to Aptos where we played lots of games, sang songs with Dewey and his ukulele and played on the beach. Many great memories were created.

Once Helen retired from nursing she partnered with a friend and owned a bath store for a few years. Then when she really retired, she and Dewey made yearly trips to Palm Springs to watch golf and check out the town. She was always learning and growing as a retiree. Hosting dinner parties was a regular occasion with a beautifully set table and lively atmosphere. She always loved cooking and joined a Gourmet club as well as a gardening club. And of course playing bridge was always a part of her life. The travel bug continued as she went on two trips to Europe, cruises to Alaska and Panama as well as visiting American cities.

Helen has 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren: Ashley and Dustin with River, Maren, and Sloane; Scott and Jesika; Bryan; Andrew and Courtney: and Sarah: Kayla and Darin with Daxon, Landon, and Jett: Emily and Mike. All of them were her pride and joy. She spent many days watching volleyball, basketball, baseball, ballet recitals, track meets, helped with homeschooling, and did whatever was needed. Wherever they were she was. They will carry on her legacy. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Adolf and Elizabeth Hansen, her sister Harriet Crane and brother Paul Hansen, and her husband, Dewey, who passed away in 2019. In 2023 she moved to Turlock and then Merced in 2024 to be near her daughter, Laura and her family. She was loved by her family and know that she is in heaven now having a wonderful reunion with Jesus and her family.

Romans 8:38-39

I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.

Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Mostad Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Sierra Calvert, Funeral Arranger.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Glad Tidings Church on January 31, 2026, 1179 Eager Rd, Live Oak, California 95953