Miss Helen I. Tjernlund

    Helen Ingeborg Tjernlund was born on June 1, 1895 in Cambridge, Mass.  She lived in Portland for 62 years.  Miss Tjernlund was a music teacher who in her later years retired from that profession.  Miss Tjernlund was the daughter of Rev. Axel Tjernlund and was an aunt of Betty Hallgren Carlson.  She was one of the founders of the Oregon Baptist Retirement Home and was secretary of the board of directors for 25 years.  She was the Church Organist for Temple for 20 years and choir director for 8 years.  The first recorded time Miss Tjernlund played the organ for a worship service was on January 8, 1916.  She resigned as organist in February 1958.  In the early 1930's she was the Sunday School Superintendent at Temple.
    The following excerpt was copied from the speech by Helen Tjernlund when she turned in her Resignation as Organist on February 1958:
    "Where the twenty years have gone to I can't say, excepting that I've gone along with them.  During those 20 years some ten were spent every Sunday in broadcasting, first down town either a one o'clock or three p.m. and later from the church direct at ten thirty a.m. and then besides that for a couple of years in English service at 1 o'clock p.m..  I want to thank in particular, A. B. Carlson for the time and energy he gave in promoting this work and to the faithful choir members who sang at least once a month on the broadcasts.
    I resigned as Director of the choir in December 15, 1948 and stepped out of that position in February 1949.   The personnel of the choir has changed greatly since that time.  I am thankful to Mrs. F.G. Salstrom for her loyalty and friendship in the choir and to Mrs. Westerlund was always faithful in attendance and to all the choir members." 
    Helen Tjernlund died on April 22, 1975 at the age of 79.

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,"
Ephesians 5:19

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