Borjeson, Helen J., 97, New Sweden, in Caribou, March 20, 2008. A memorial service will be held later in the spring. Arrangements are in the care of the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.
New Sweden – Helen Lydia Johnson Borjeson, 97, died Thursday March 20, 2008, at the Maine Veterans’ Home residential care unit in Caribou. She was born October 9, 1910, in a log cabin on the Lebanon Road in New Sweden, the eldest daughter of Axel and Augusta (Englund) Johnson. The log cabin she was born in was built by her grandfather in 1871. Except for a few years spent working in Massachusetts, she lived on the home farm her entire life. Helen graduated from Caribou High School and attended the Normal School in Presque Isle as well as other schools in the University of Maine system. She taught in local one room schools, but spent most of her career teaching grades five and six in Stockholm School. She was a member of the First Church of Christ in Boston, Mass, and attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Stockholm. Helen was very active in community affairs. She dedicated many years of service to the New Sweden Historical Society and also served as secretary. Helen was a member of the New Sweden Health Council, Stockholm Extension, Retired Teachers, Caribou Garden Club, Lutheran Church Women, PTA and the Widows Club. Helen Married Ernest C. Borjeson of Worcester, MA on June 7, 1941. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1991 and Ernie passed away in 1992. Helen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by a daughter Gusty Anderson and her husband David of Stockholm, a son Jan Borjeson and his wife Elaine of Woodinville, WA, grandsons; Sven Bondeson and his wife Connie of New Sweden, Cliff Borjeson and his wife Ashley of Washington D.C., Matthew Borjeson of Woodinville, WA, granddaughter; Kim Ridenhour and her husband Steve of Eureka, MO, great grandchildren, Gunnar Bondeson, Jordan Colton, Abigail and Grace Ridenhour. Helen also leaves behind a sister Margaret Anderson of Stockholm, many nieces, nephews, and step-granddaughters Karla Reynolds, June Harr, Vicky Anderson, Trudy Nichols, Kim Anderson, Jessica Kurtz and their families. In addition to her parents and husband she was predeceased by two sisters Thelma M. Wessell and Ruth L. Eckstrom.
Helen was very proud of her Swedish heritage and spent hours researching genealogy and recording family and local history. She was instrumental in publishing a booklet “Lebanon Road Reflections”. As New Swedens eldest citizen she was the holder of the Boston Post Cane. Helen is now peacefully at rest in the company of her God, family and friends that went on before her.
A memorial service will be held later this spring. Those who wish may contribute in Helens memory may do so to the New Sweden Historical Society designated for the Lindsten Stuga. Arrangements in care of Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St. Caribou, ME 04736. Friends may express their condolences to the family at www.lancastermorgan.com.
