HELMERS, Fred 1884-1953

HELMERS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Fred Helmers, Former Beaver Twp. Man, Dies

Fred Helmers, who spent most of his life in Beaver township, Grundy county, died last Thursday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Orville Weigmann, at Dumont. He had been in failing health several months due to cancer. He was 68 years old last September.

Funeral services were held at one o'clock Monday at the Weigmann home, and later at the Lutheran church in Allison. Burial was in the Salem Lutheran cemetery two miles north of Fern. This cemetery is near the former Helmers farm home, and his parents are buried there.

Fred Helmers was born on a farm in Beaver township and he grew up there. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Helmers, early residents of Grundy county. On April 11, 1911, Fred Helmers and Miss Grace Konken were married at Meservey, Iowa. During the early part of their married life they lived on one of the Helmers farms two miles north of Fern. In 1923 he and his family moved to Stout, where he became manager of the Farmers Co-Operative Elevator, which he helped to organize. He managed the elevator for eleven years, when he sold his interests and the family moved to Bradford, Iowa, where they owned and operated a store for two years, after which they purchased a general store at Marble Rock and they continued in business there until about a year ago when Mr. Helmers' health began to fail. They then bought a home in Allison and moved there.

For many years while living on the farm Mr. Helmers was the assessor for Beaver township. He held that position until he moved to Stout.

Was Beaver News Correspondent
During his early years while he resided on the farm Mr. Helmers became the news correspondent from Beaver township for the Grundy paper. He also looked after the paper's subscription interests and for many years the Grundy paper went into the home of practically every family in Beaver township and no rural community ever received more complete news service than Beaver township during the many years that Fred Helmers was the news correspondent.

Surviving are his wife; one son, Herbert, who resides in South Gate, California; and one daughter, Mrs. Weigmann. He was preceded in death by his parents, by one daughter and one grandchild.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 9 April 1953, pg 7

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Obituary Fred Helmers

Fred Helmers of Allison passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Orville Wiegmann, Dumont, Thursday noon, April 2nd, at the age of 68 years, 6 months, and 16 days.

Services were held April 6 at 1 p.m. at the Wiegmann home and at 1:30 p.m. at St. James Lutheran church, Allison, with Rev. R. J. Niederwimmer officiating. Burial was made at Salem Lutheran cemetery, south of Parkersburg.

Mr. Helmers, son of Henry and Antje (Wiltfang) Helmers, was born Sept. 17, 1884, in Pleasant Valley twp., Grundy county. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was united in marriage with Grace Konken, Apr. 11, 1911, at Meservey, Iowa. To this union two daughters and one son were born.

He spent his first 49 years in Grundy county, where 38 years of that time was spent living on the farm in Beaver township. At one time he was assessor for Beaver and Fairfield township.

In 1923 with his family he moved to Stout, where he was manager of the Farmers elevator for 11 years. In 1934 he moved to Bradford to operate a general merchandise store. From 1936 to July 1952 he operated a general merchandise store in Marble Rock. He then retired and moved to Allison. While in Marble Rock he helped organize the mission Lutheran church and served it as deacon and financial secretary for 6 years.

He is survived by his widow; one son, Herbert, South Gate, Calif.; and one daughter, Mrs. Orville Wiegmann, Dumont. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Anna, and one grandchild.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 April 1953, pg 11