Helen Guilbert-Ryyth

Rolla

Helen Guilbert-Ryyth, age 104, of Rolla, ND passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025 at St. Kateri Hospital, Rolla, ND.

Helen’s life history is too long to record because she lived it long and well. She was a lifelong teacher both inside and outside of the classroom. Her past students still remark that she had a profound effect on their lives.

Helen was born in Benson County, ND, and at an early stage developed into a sturdy, full time farm worker with her father and sister Madge. She attended grade school in a one teacher school and high school in York, ND, where according to family history, floored a male co-student who made fun of her hair (which was bright red). Her high marks in high school led to admission into Minot State Teachers College. She earned her two-year Teacher’s Certificate and was hired by Fairview School, again, a one teacher, all grades school. She was then an attractive and vivacious (red haired) woman who cut a wide swath in Rolla social circles. She met (and married) Hector Guilbert, a member of a large French-Canadian family who had recently lost their land because of depression induced pressures and financial stress. She and Hector found wartime employment in small schools and driving trucks, respectively (not all in the same location). The result of this hard work was enough money saved to buy a small farm in Picton township only a mile from Hector’s birth place.

The next phase of her life was centered around family (Curt, Joe, Terry, Michael and (finally a girl) Diane and developing one of the best gardens in the area. She became involved in education as a member of the board of Picton School (another one teacher, all grade school). She augmented family income (low in the wheat rust era) by getting a position in St. John Public schools teaching sixth and then third grade. In about five years she took a position in Rolla Public schools and began to upgrade her teaching degree to a master’s at Minot State. She then moved again to Belcourt (a federal position) to the grade school there. During the summer she operated a one-woman mobile library for the Turtle Mountain reserve.

Helen was always interested in things she found or discovered on the Picton farm and in Rolla (where Hector and she eventually moved) whether it was collecting beer can holders, macramé, curling, monarch butterflies, wheat weaving or gardening. She and Hector became `snowbirds` during the long Dakota winters where they fished or socialized.

This ideal life on Padre Island, Tx, was disrupted by a stroke and then death of Hector. She was very lonely which was much relieved when she married another teacher Rudy Ryyth. This allowed her and Rudy to live independently until increasing sickness and the COVID epidemic mandated a move to Park View housing. She lived these last years just as she had during the previous century, well and with lots of enthusiasm.

Helen is survived by her children, Curtis Guilbert of Cincinnati, OH, Larry Guilbert of Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada, Terry (Linda) Guilbert of Lakeway, TX, Michael (Susan) Guilbert of Boseman, MT, and Diane (Robert) Campbell of Rolla; 13 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and sister, Inez “Tudy” (Buster) Iverson of Mount Greeley, MT.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Curt and Elizabeth Follman, daughter-in-law, Carol (Gault) Guilbert, husband, Hector Guilbert, and husband, Rudy Ryyth.

A Rosary Service was held at 7:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2025 at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Rolla, ND. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Rolla, ND. Father Thai Arul and Deacon Terry Guilbert presiding. Burial will be held at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery, St. John, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 23, 2025.