Albert K. Helvig (1864-1922)

HELVIG, HANSON, THOMPSON, HENDERSON, MELAND

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa Thursday, August 17, 1922.

ALBERT K. HELVIG DIES SUDDENLY

Victim of Heat Stroke While Threshing Yesterday at the Hjelmtvedt and Tvedten Home. Funeral Will Be Held Saturday Afternoon

This community was shocked yesterday afternoon shortly after four o'clock, when it was learned that Albert K. Helvig had dropped dead while attending to his duties as separator man at the Hjelmtvedt and Tvedten home. Mr. Helvig had been in his usual good health, but became overheated and died just as members of the crew reached him. Dr. Snyder was called at once, and he stated that death was the result of a heat stroke.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at two o'clock from Bergen Lutheran church. Obituary will be published next week.

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa Thursday, August 24, 1922.

HIGHLY RESPECTED RESIDENT BURIED

Funeral of Albert Helvig Held from Bergen Church Last Saturday Afternoon. Sermons Preached by Rev. Sandven and Rev. Andersen.

One of the largest funerals ever held in Roland, was the funeral of Albert K. Helvig last Saturday afternoon at Bergen Lutheran church, a large number being unable to gain entrance to the church. Rev. J. N. Sandven, pastor of Salem Lutheran church, conducted a short service at the home and preached a sermon in Norwegian at the church, and Rev. J. N. Anderson, pastor of St. Petri Lutheran church at Story City, preached a sermon in English at the church and conducted the final ceremonies at the cemetery. Mr. Otto J. Hanson sang at the home and the Bergen Maile Chorus furnished two numbers at the church. The local post attended in a body as a courtesy to the son of the deceased, Mr. Clarence Helvig, who is a member of the post. Interment took place in the Roland cemetery.

Albert K. Helvig was born on the old Helvig homestead, three miles west of Roland, February 23, 1864, and died August 16, 1922, at the age of 58 years, 5 months and 22 days. Mr. Helvig was married to Miss Mina Hanson on October 10, 1891, to which union five children were born, of which two survive their father, Mr. Clarence Helvig of this place, and Mrs. T. C. Thompson of near McCallsburg. Mrs. Helvig passed away April 12, 1899. The deceased also leaves a brother, O. K. Helvig of Story City, a sister, Mrs. Henry Henderson of Mylo, N. D., an adopted sister, Mrs. Betsy Meland of Cando, N. D., and an adopted brother, Daniel Helvig of Seneca, Ill., besides a host of relatives and friends.

It can be said of very few, if any, that they have no enemies, but if it can be said of anyone we think it can be truthfully said that Mr. Helvig had no enemies. He always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. Mr. Helvig was honored at different times with responsible positions in the community and at his death was one of the trustees of Warren township. He has also held positions of trust within Bergen congregation, of which he has been a faithful member since its organization, and where he was a regular attendant at services.

Mr. Helvig lived on his farm five miles southeast of here, and his son, Clarence, was associated with him in the operation of the same. Between these two existed a comradeship such s is seldom seen and to the young man the loss of his father and companion will be one that will be felt for a long time.

Mr. Helvig had during the past few weeks been assisting in the operation of a threshing rig and on last Wednesday was at the Hjelmtvet and Tvedten home. The day was extremely hot but Mr. Helvig had not complained in any manner that he was sick or that the heat affected him, but about four o'clock that afternoon, the crew noticed that he sat down near the tractor. After a little he seemed to make an attempt to get up, but failed and soon threw up his hands and fell over backwards. When members of the crew reached his side life was almost extinct and before any aid could be administered, death had taken place. He sudden passing away, came as a terrible shock to his many friends.

Those from a distance in attendance at the funeral were M. O. Olson of Calamus, Julius Hanson of Rolfe, Clayton Hanson of Nevada, Martin George of Triumph, Minn., Daniel Helvig of Seneca, Ill., Homer Gaard of Blue Earth, Minn., besides large numbers from McCallsburg and Story City.