Helen Bell Larsen - Revision history

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	'''Married:''' [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]]		'''Married:''' [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]]

	'''Helen Bell''' was a [[Tray boys\|tray girl]] at the [[Sageman Cottage\|Sageman Cottage]] when she was in high school in the 1940s. There she met [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]], one of the [[Norwegian Sailors\|Norwegian Sailors]] who were curing in Saranac Lake during World War II. They kept in touch by mail for twenty years; after his retirement from the merchant marine in 1964, Larsen wrote to Helen asking her to come to visit him in Norway. She wrote back suggesting that he should visit Saranac Lake in stead. Several months later, in the summer of 1964, without answering her letter, he arrived in Saranac Lake. On December 26, 1964 she married Alfred Larsen in the [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]. They settled on [[~~Lake Street\|~~Lake Street]], and later moved to Helen's family home at [[4 Jenkins Street\|4 Jenkins Street]].		'''Helen Bell''' was a [[Tray boys\|tray girl]] at the [[Sageman Cottage\|Sageman Cottage]] when she was in high school in the 1940s. There she met [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]], one of the [[Norwegian Sailors\|Norwegian Sailors]] who were curing in Saranac Lake during World War II. They kept in touch by mail for twenty years; after his retirement from the merchant marine in 1964, Larsen wrote to Helen asking her to come to visit him in Norway. She wrote back suggesting that he should visit Saranac Lake in stead. Several months later, in the summer of 1964, without answering her letter, he arrived in Saranac Lake. On December 26, 1964 she married Alfred Larsen in the [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]. They settled on [[Lake Street]], and later moved to Helen's family home at [[4 Jenkins Street\|4 Jenkins Street]].

	Helen worked at [[F. W. Woolworth\|F. W. Woolworth]], and later at the ''[[Saranac Lake News\|Saranac Lake News]]''. As of 2013, Helen Larsen is still living in Saranac Lake.		Helen worked at [[F. W. Woolworth\|F. W. Woolworth]], and later at the ''[[Saranac Lake News\|Saranac Lake News]]''. As of 2013, Helen Larsen is still living in Saranac Lake.

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	Helen B. Larsen, 91, formerly of [[DeChantal Apartments\|60 Church St]]., Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.		Helen B. Larsen, 91, formerly of [[DeChantal Apartments\|60 Church St]]., Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

	Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[~~First Presbyterian Church\|~~First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.		Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.

	She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]		She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]

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	She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]		She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]

	Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[~~Fortune-Keough Funeral Home\|~~Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.		Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

	'''External link:'''		'''External link:'''

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	'''The Last Word'''		'''The Last Word'''

	None of the thousands of letters the Larsens wrote each other survived a half century's house-cleaning. But something Alfred wrote on a questionnaire for [[~~Historic Saranac Lake\|~~Historic Saranac Lake]]'s 1987 reunion of former TB patients did survive, and it speaks for itself.		None of the thousands of letters the Larsens wrote each other survived a half century's house-cleaning. But something Alfred wrote on a questionnaire for [[Historic Saranac Lake]]'s 1987 reunion of former TB patients did survive, and it speaks for itself.

	The question asked: "Has TB changed your philosophy of life, and how?"		The question asked: "Has TB changed your philosophy of life, and how?"

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	''[[~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|~~Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', May 29, 2000		''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', May 29, 2000

	'''Pine Ridge Cemetery reveals chapter of Saranac Lake's wartime history'''		'''Pine Ridge Cemetery reveals chapter of Saranac Lake's wartime history'''

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	'''External link:'''		'''External link:'''
	* ''Adirondack Daily Enterprise'' on May 3, 2016, [[http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/562119/Helen-B--Larsen.html\|Helen B. Larsen]]		* ''Adirondack Daily Enterprise'' on May 3, 2016, [http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/562119/Helen-B--Larsen.html Helen B. Larsen]

	===Comments===		===Comments===

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	[[File:Larsen Bell wedding.jpg\|right\|thumb\|The wedding of Alfred Larsen and Helen Bell in 1964. ~~\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise~~[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise'', May 29, 2000 ]] [[File:Helen and Alfred Larsen.jpg\|left\|thumb\|Helen and Alfred Larsen portrait, courtesy of Helen Larsen ]]		[[File:Larsen Bell wedding.jpg\|right\|thumb\|The wedding of Alfred Larsen and Helen Bell in 1964. ''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', May 29, 2000 ]]

			[[File:Helen and Alfred Larsen.jpg\|left\|thumb\|Helen and Alfred Larsen portrait, courtesy of Helen Larsen ]]

	'''Born:''' December 5, 1924		'''Born:''' December 5, 1924

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	[[File:Larsen Bell wedding.jpg\|right\|thumb\|The wedding of Alfred Larsen and Helen Bell in 1964. \|Adirondack Daily Enterprise[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise~~\|None]]~~'', May 29, 2000 ]] [[File:Helen and Alfred Larsen.jpg\|left\|thumb\|Helen and Alfred Larsen portrait, courtesy of Helen Larsen ]]		[[File:Larsen Bell wedding.jpg\|right\|thumb\|The wedding of Alfred Larsen and Helen Bell in 1964. \|Adirondack Daily Enterprise[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise'', May 29, 2000 ]] [[File:Helen and Alfred Larsen.jpg\|left\|thumb\|Helen and Alfred Larsen portrait, courtesy of Helen Larsen ]]

	'''Born:''' December 5, 1924		'''Born:''' December 5, 1924

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	Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church\|First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.		Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church\|First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.

	She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell~~%2C~~ Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]		She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]

	Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough Funeral Home\|Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.		Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough Funeral Home\|Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

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	'''Married:''' [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]]		'''Married:''' [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]]

	'''Helen Bell''' was a [[Tray boys\|tray girl]] at the [[Sageman Cottage\|Sageman Cottage]] when she was in high school in the 1940s. There she met [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]], one of the [[Norwegian Sailors\|Norwegian Sailors]] who were curing in Saranac Lake during World War II. They kept in touch by mail for twenty years; after his retirement from the merchant marine in 1964, Larsen wrote to Helen asking her to come to visit him in Norway. She wrote back suggesting that he should visit Saranac Lake in stead. Several months later, in the summer of 1964, without answering her letter, he arrived in Saranac Lake. On December 26, 1964 she married Alfred Larsen in the [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]. They settled on [[~~Lake Street\|~~Lake Street]], and later moved to Helen's family home at [[4 Jenkins Street\|4 Jenkins Street]].		'''Helen Bell''' was a [[Tray boys\|tray girl]] at the [[Sageman Cottage\|Sageman Cottage]] when she was in high school in the 1940s. There she met [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]], one of the [[Norwegian Sailors\|Norwegian Sailors]] who were curing in Saranac Lake during World War II. They kept in touch by mail for twenty years; after his retirement from the merchant marine in 1964, Larsen wrote to Helen asking her to come to visit him in Norway. She wrote back suggesting that he should visit Saranac Lake in stead. Several months later, in the summer of 1964, without answering her letter, he arrived in Saranac Lake. On December 26, 1964 she married Alfred Larsen in the [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]. They settled on [[Lake Street]], and later moved to Helen's family home at [[4 Jenkins Street\|4 Jenkins Street]].

	Helen worked at [[F. W. Woolworth\|F. W. Woolworth]], and later at the ''[[Saranac Lake News\|Saranac Lake News]]''. As of 2013, Helen Larsen is still living in Saranac Lake.		Helen worked at [[F. W. Woolworth\|F. W. Woolworth]], and later at the ''[[Saranac Lake News\|Saranac Lake News]]''. As of 2013, Helen Larsen is still living in Saranac Lake.

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	Helen B. Larsen, 91, formerly of [[DeChantal Apartments\|60 Church St]]., Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.		Helen B. Larsen, 91, formerly of [[DeChantal Apartments\|60 Church St]]., Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

	Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[~~First Presbyterian Church\|~~First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.		Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.

	She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]		She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]

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	Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church\|First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.		Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church\|First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.

	She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell~~%2C~~ Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]		She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell, Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]

	Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough Funeral Home\|Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.		Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough Funeral Home\|Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

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	'''Died:''' April 29, 2016		'''Died:''' April 29, 2016

	'''Married:''' [[Alfred~~%20Larsen~~\|Alfred Larsen]]		'''Married:''' [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]]

	'''Helen Bell''' was a [[Tray~~%20boys~~\|tray girl]] at the [[Sageman~~%20Cottage~~\|Sageman Cottage]] when she was in high school in the 1940s. There she met [[Alfred~~%20Larsen~~\|Alfred Larsen]], one of the [[Norwegian~~%20Sailors~~\|Norwegian Sailors]] who were curing in Saranac Lake during World War II. They kept in touch by mail for twenty years; after his retirement from the merchant marine in 1964, Larsen wrote to Helen asking her to come to visit him in Norway. She wrote back suggesting that he should visit Saranac Lake in stead. Several months later, in the summer of 1964, without answering her letter, he arrived in Saranac Lake. On December 26, 1964 she married Alfred Larsen in the [[First~~%20United%20Methodist%20Church~~\|First United Methodist Church]]. They settled on [[Lake~~%20Street~~\|Lake Street]], and later moved to Helen's family home at [[4~~%20Jenkins%20Street~~\|4 Jenkins Street]].		'''Helen Bell''' was a [[Tray boys\|tray girl]] at the [[Sageman Cottage\|Sageman Cottage]] when she was in high school in the 1940s. There she met [[Alfred Larsen\|Alfred Larsen]], one of the [[Norwegian Sailors\|Norwegian Sailors]] who were curing in Saranac Lake during World War II. They kept in touch by mail for twenty years; after his retirement from the merchant marine in 1964, Larsen wrote to Helen asking her to come to visit him in Norway. She wrote back suggesting that he should visit Saranac Lake in stead. Several months later, in the summer of 1964, without answering her letter, he arrived in Saranac Lake. On December 26, 1964 she married Alfred Larsen in the [[First United Methodist Church\|First United Methodist Church]]. They settled on [[Lake Street\|Lake Street]], and later moved to Helen's family home at [[4 Jenkins Street\|4 Jenkins Street]].

	Helen worked at [[F.~~%20W~~.~~%20Woolworth~~\|F. W. Woolworth]], and later at the ''[[Saranac~~%20Lake%20News~~\|Saranac Lake News]]''. As of 2013, Helen Larsen is still living in Saranac Lake.		Helen worked at [[F. W. Woolworth\|F. W. Woolworth]], and later at the ''[[Saranac Lake News\|Saranac Lake News]]''. As of 2013, Helen Larsen is still living in Saranac Lake.

	Check out the [[Helen~~%20Larsen%20Interview~~\|Helen Larsen Interview]] for more information on Helen and her life in Saranac Lake.		Check out the [[Helen Larsen Interview\|Helen Larsen Interview]] for more information on Helen and her life in Saranac Lake.

	Helen's obituary was published in the ''Adirondack Daily Enterprise'' on May 3, 2016.		Helen's obituary was published in the ''Adirondack Daily Enterprise'' on May 3, 2016.
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	''[[Adirondack~~%20Daily%20Enterprise~~\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', May 29, 2000		''[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise\|Adirondack Daily Enterprise]]'', May 29, 2000

	'''Pine Ridge Cemetery reveals chapter of Saranac Lake's wartime history'''		'''Pine Ridge Cemetery reveals chapter of Saranac Lake's wartime history'''

	By [[BOB~~%20SEIDENSTEIN~~\|BOB SEIDENSTEIN]]		By [[BOB SEIDENSTEIN\|BOB SEIDENSTEIN]]

	Special to the Enterprise		Special to the Enterprise

	[... (for the complete article, see [[Norwegian~~%20Sailors~~\|Norwegian Sailors]])]		[... (for the complete article, see [[Norwegian Sailors\|Norwegian Sailors]])]

	It's a long story that begins on the day the Germans invaded Norway. Alfred Larsen left his home town and home port, Bergen, arid sailed into the North Sea aboard the tanker ''Egba''. Later, he was on other ships, sailing to such distant ports as Liverpool, England; Monrovia, Liberia; and Jamaica, West Indies. His duty was hardly all exotic, however, since in the course of his wartime service, he was on three ships that were sunk by German U-boats.		It's a long story that begins on the day the Germans invaded Norway. Alfred Larsen left his home town and home port, Bergen, arid sailed into the North Sea aboard the tanker ''Egba''. Later, he was on other ships, sailing to such distant ports as Liverpool, England; Monrovia, Liberia; and Jamaica, West Indies. His duty was hardly all exotic, however, since in the course of his wartime service, he was on three ships that were sunk by German U-boats.
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	Then on Feb. 12, 1943, in New York City, Larsen was diagnosed with TB. He was sent to Saranac Lake, the doctor in New York telling him it was a good place to be. Years later, Larsen said of his reaction at the time, "I didn't even know what a Saranac Lake was."		Then on Feb. 12, 1943, in New York City, Larsen was diagnosed with TB. He was sent to Saranac Lake, the doctor in New York telling him it was a good place to be. Years later, Larsen said of his reaction at the time, "I didn't even know what a Saranac Lake was."

	He soon found out, as he settled in the Sageman Cottage, along with other Norwegian sailors. This may have been a comfort to him, since at the time he spoke no English. But he changed that by taking English courses at the [[Rehabilitation~~%20Guild~~\|Guild]] from Mrs. Levy, and quickly became fluent.		He soon found out, as he settled in the Sageman Cottage, along with other Norwegian sailors. This may have been a comfort to him, since at the time he spoke no English. But he changed that by taking English courses at the [[Rehabilitation Guild\|Guild]] from Mrs. Levy, and quickly became fluent.

	With his new fluency, he made a new friend. She was [[Helen~~%20Bell~~\|Helen Bell]], a local high school girl who was a "[[tray~~%20girl~~\|tray girl]]" and all-around house-keeper at the Sageman Cottage.		With his new fluency, he made a new friend. She was [[Helen Bell\|Helen Bell]], a local high school girl who was a "[[tray girl\|tray girl]]" and all-around house-keeper at the Sageman Cottage.

	When the war ended in 1945, Larsen was cured of TB, and so returned to Norway, where he later rejoined the merchant marine. He stayed in the merchant marine for the next 19 years, sailing everywhere, according to him, except Greenland. But no matter how far away from Saranac Lake he was, he never lost touch with it, for he and Helen Bell remained steadfast — if not world-class pen pals: Helen estimates she wrote him a letter a week the entire time. While she's not sure if he wrote back as often, she said he answered most of the letters.		When the war ended in 1945, Larsen was cured of TB, and so returned to Norway, where he later rejoined the merchant marine. He stayed in the merchant marine for the next 19 years, sailing everywhere, according to him, except Greenland. But no matter how far away from Saranac Lake he was, he never lost touch with it, for he and Helen Bell remained steadfast — if not world-class pen pals: Helen estimates she wrote him a letter a week the entire time. While she's not sure if he wrote back as often, she said he answered most of the letters.
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	"It's what kept him healthy," Helen said, "walking up arid down Lake Street Hill."		"It's what kept him healthy," Helen said, "walking up arid down Lake Street Hill."

	In 1988, after 24 years of marriage and 45 years of friendship, Alfred Larsen passed away. Helen is hale and healthy and living in the [[Dechantal~~%20Apartments~~\|Dechantal Apartments]].		In 1988, after 24 years of marriage and 45 years of friendship, Alfred Larsen passed away. Helen is hale and healthy and living in the [[Dechantal Apartments\|Dechantal Apartments]].

	'''The Last Word'''		'''The Last Word'''

	None of the thousands of letters the Larsens wrote each other survived a half century's house-cleaning. But something Alfred wrote on a questionnaire for [[Historic~~%20Saranac%20Lake~~\|Historic Saranac Lake]]'s 1987 reunion of former TB patients did survive, and it speaks for itself.		None of the thousands of letters the Larsens wrote each other survived a half century's house-cleaning. But something Alfred wrote on a questionnaire for [[Historic Saranac Lake\|Historic Saranac Lake]]'s 1987 reunion of former TB patients did survive, and it speaks for itself.

	The question asked: "Has TB changed your philosophy of life, and how?"		The question asked: "Has TB changed your philosophy of life, and how?"
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	'''Helen B. Larsen'''		'''Helen B. Larsen'''

	Helen B. Larsen, 91, formerly of [[DeChantal~~%20Apartments~~\|60 Church St]]., Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.		Helen B. Larsen, 91, formerly of [[DeChantal Apartments\|60 Church St]]., Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

	Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac~~%20Lake%20News%20Company~~\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac~~%20Lake%20Adult%20Center~~\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First~~%20Presbyterian%20Church~~\|First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.		Born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 5, 1924, she was the daughter of Jesse "Ray" Sr. and Elizabeth (Homburger) Bell. Helen married Alfred Larsen on Dec. 26, 1964, in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 3, 1989. Mrs. Larsen was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and was employed for the [[Saranac Lake News Company\|Saranac Lake News Company]]. She is a life member of the Eastern Star, [[Saranac Lake Adult Center\|Saranac Lake Adult Center]], and the [[First Presbyterian Church\|First Presbyterian Church]]. She especially enjoyed bingo and search word puzzles.

	She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J.~~%20Ray%20Bell~~%2C~~%20Jr~~.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]		She is survived by one sister, Betty B. Haig of Saranac Lake, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her father; mother; three sisters: Marie Schenck, Ruth Orsini, and Jacqueline Gonyea; and one brother, [[J. Ray Bell%2C Jr.\|Ray Bell, Jr.]]

	Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough~~%20Funeral%20Home~~\|Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.		Funeral arrangements are in care of the [[Fortune-Keough Funeral Home\|Fortune-Keough Funeral Home]] in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

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