JAMES R. HELGERSON

HALVORSON, HELGERSON, THUNE, HOVDEN, ALBRECHT, KJIERGAARD, BUHR, WALSH, CARLSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 3/30/2003 at 09:53:49

JAMES R. HELGERSON

Postville Herald-Leader -- March 20, 2003

Funeral services for James R. Helgerson were held on Friday, March 14, 2003 in West Clermont Lutheran Church at Clermont, Iowa, with the Rev. Elder Bentley, guest pastor, officiating. Sarah Strong served as organist with Arthur Amundson as soloist. Burial was in God's Acre Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.

James Richard Helgerson was born July 30, 1929 at Postville, Iowa. He was the fourth child (and only son) born to Ingvold and Olena (Halvorson) Helgerson. Jim was baptized at East Clermont Lutheran Church and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With the exception of one year spent in Minneapolis, Jim lived his entire life in northeast Iowa, graduating from Postville High School in 1947.

In 1950 Jim purchased farm land outside of Clermont. This was to become the beginning of the Helgerson family farm. The house, building and property are nestled among the rolling hills overlooking the turkey River and surrounded by many majestic pine trees.

On September 11, 1954 Jim married Wanda Mae Thune at Big Canoe Lutheran Church at Highlandville (near Decorah, IA). They were blessed with four daughters: Sheila Rae, Jacqueline Sue, Jennifer Ann, Pamela Jean and a long anticipated and cherished son, Jeffrey Allen.

Jim and Wanda worked hard on farm, first with dairy cows and later beef and hogs. They farmed the land raising corn, oats and hay. This setting served as the perfect home for raising five children, each of whom learned the value of hard work, optimism, teamwork and respect. The many memories shared include Sunday afternoon softball games, fishing at the river, going sledding, cutting the annual Christmas trees from our woods, target practice, horseback riding and raising baby pigs and baby chicks.

A lover of nature and animals, Jim spent much time outdoors with his family and ever present dogs and cats. He taught his children to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, to slow down, to appreciate everything and to treat all living things with respect and love. He helped to answer every question his children asked, teaching us about Indian springs, bird calls, the phases of the moon, changing tires, baling and stacking hay and taking care of livestock. With his son as his right hand man, Jim taught Jeff the love of the land. He took his children to the Spring Grove sale barn where we enjoyed helping herd the cattle and drinking Spring Grove Strawberry Pop.

Jim's hobbies included doing stained glass, wood carving, hunting, fishing, reading, watching Fox News and the O'Reilly Factor and visiting with family, friends, hunters and neighbors.

A member of the West Clermont Lutheran Church, Jim served as an usher for many years of Sunday church services. Jim was active in the Modern Woodman of America, Farm Bureau, and the Independent Order of Foresters. Jim and Wanda enjoyed bus trips to Arizona and other vacation spots during retirement. He enjoyed reminiscing about the trips and delighted in sharing his experiences. Every day was the opportunity for Jim to discover and learn about new subjects.

He loved every visit with his children and grandchildren, becoming even closer to all of them in later years. He and his son spent hours and days together with an unmatched level of love and respect between them. Jim was the proud grandfather to Shauna Hovden, Megan, Ethan, Marcus, William and Nicole Albrecht, Chanel Helgerson, Paula Kjiergaard and Jeffery Buhr. He and Wanda were thrilled to recently welcome a great-grandchild to the family, Kennedy Jo Kjiergaard. His quiet nature and gentle spirit made everyone feel comfortable. His gracious accepting soul and kind and tender heart remains with us all as his gift to us.

Jim was preceded in death by an infant sister, his mother and father, and one nephew.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, his adoring children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Also surviving are his sisters; Ruth (Mrs. Jerry Walsh) of Federal Way, WA; Inez (Mrs. Wally Carlson) of Glendale, AZ, three nieces and two nephews.

Jim passed away Monday evening, March 10, 2003 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his wife and children when he went on to meet his Heavenly Father. His loving spirit remains with us forever.

Casket bearers were Lester Shogren, Elvin Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Eugene Thorson, Joe Olson, Albert Tinderholt, Merle Anderson, Eric Anderson.

Honorary casket bearers were Wayne Amundson, Art Molokken, John Kelly, Gerhard Tinderholt, Carroll Klingman, Glynn Paulson.