Helen Kallstrom

Helen Marie Kallstrom, 65, Cataldo, ID, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born October 20, 1960, to Conrad and Connie (Pedersen) Diekmann in Wheaton, MN. Having grown up on the family farm, the oldest of five siblings, Helen was hard-working and determined. She started working at the nursing home in Browns Valley as early as she could, often missing school to fill in. She graduated from Beardsley High School and later from Bismarck State College.

On July 28, 1979, Helen married the love of her life, Dave Kallstrom, in Browns Valley, MN. After their marriage and first child, they moved briefly to Beulah, ND where Helen worked for the construction firm building the coal gasification plant and 2 of Basin Electric's power plants. A move to Bismarck, ND followed where they had their second child and Helen worked her way up from the operating room to lead of computer operations at Basin Electric. They later moved to North Bend, WA where she continued to work in data security for Boeing, Group Health, and Univar. After their home was finished in 2011, Helen moved to Cataldo. She very much loved being in the mountains, away from the city, seeing the wildflowers each year and watching all the wildlife that visited.

Helen's greatest joys were spending time with her family, cats, chickens, and kunekune pigs. Helen had a green thumb and loved to garden. She had a large vegetable garden and orchard, and enjoyed canning each fall. Helen also maintained a beautiful flower garden around their property. Helen was an amazing cook and enjoyed trying new cuisines. She enjoyed traveling as much as she could. Helen loved music and attended many concerts with her husband and friends. Helen was a force and the life of the party with a laugh that filled the room.

Survivors include her husband, Dave Kallstrom of Cataldo, ID; children, Nicole (Peter) Van Bogart and Tyler (Tarah) Kallstrom, both of Coeur d'Alene, ID; siblings, Conrad Jr. (Becky) Diekmann of Ortonville, MN, Mary Theisen of Beardsley, MN, David (Lori) Diekmann of Belview, MN, and Kathy (Phil) Dale of Browns Valley, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Conrad and Connie Diekmann.

Helen's celebration of life will be held at a later date.