Ole K. Helvig (1866-1935)

HELVIG, TORKELSON, MALAND, HENDERSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/7/2024 at 22:40:23

From Story City Herald September 19, 1935 (page 2)

OBITUARY OF OLE K. HELVIG

O. K. Helvig, who passed away very suddenly at his home here on Sept. 6th, was born two and one-half miles west of Roland June 21, 1866. There he grew to manhood and attended the public school near his home. He attended high school in Story City, after which he took a college course at Shenandoah. He also attended Luther college at Decorah. From then he took up teaching parochial school and Sunday school in and around Roland, and at the same time he was organist in Bergen church for a number of years.

In 1895 he was joined in marriage to Alice Torkelson of Story City. They lived on the home farm the first summer moving to Story City in the fall of 1895 where Mr. Helvig went into the grocery business for a couple of years. To this union six children were born, two having passed away in infancy. His wife and four children survive him: one daughter, Hazel, at home, Earl of Des Moines, Sherman of Jewell and Palmer, who is in the U. S. Navy; one adopted brother, Daniel Helvig of Seneca, Ill.; one adopted sister, Mrs. Betsy Maland, Cando, N. D.; one sister, Mrs. Bella Henderson of Mylo, N. D. There are also four grandchildren, Beverly Jean and Deloris Helvig of Jewell, Donald and Robert Helvig of Des Moines.

After giving up the grocery business Mr. Helvig was appointed rural mail carrier from the Story City postoffice in 1902. This work he continued to follow for 30 years, retiring three years ago.

Upon moving to Story City he transferred his membership and became affiliated with the St. Petri church where he again took up Sunday school teaching and choir singing. He was appointed president of the choir, and for the past 13 years he was secretary of the St. Petri church. His sudden death closed his 50th year in the choir and as a Sunday school teacher, a work which was well loved by him. There are hundreds of children who have benefitted by his true Christian spirit and teachings.

His seat in church was seldom vacant. His kind, gentle manner was loved by young and old alike. He had time always to share with those he met. His kindly blue eyes told one he understood their joys or sorrows. His untimely passing is keenly felt in his large circle of friends, as well as in his beloved church. The vacancy in his home can never be filled.

Funeral Held Tuesday

Services were held at 1:30 on Sept. 10 at his home, and at the church at 2 p.m., Rev. W. B. Scarvie officiating at both places and at the grave. Many beautiful flowers covered the bier to show the high esteem in which he was held. Thelma Wicks and VeNetta Carver sang, "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be" at the home service. Mrs. Otto Hanson accompanied them on the piano. These same girls sang the same hymn for Mr. Helvig during his visit to the Wicks home on the day of his departure from this earthly sphere. At the church Rev. Scarvie conducted the service, including the reading of the 121st Psalm, which Mr. Helvig had read every morning during his life. The organ, which was Mr. Helvig's choice music, sent forth its final notes for him. His beloved choir sang "Abide with Me." Those who filled the church sang the hymn 589. Otto Hanson of Roland rendered as a solo that beautiful hymn "The Old Rugged Cross," so fitting to the life of Mr. Helvig.

The church and home was filled with relatives from far and near. The county mail carrier attended in a body. Mr. Helvig had held for long terms the positions of secretary and president in the county Mail Carriers association. Seldom did he miss an occasion to join his fellow carriers at conventions.

Those who acted as pall bearers were friends and associates of long standing, namely, Albert Larson, A. L. Born, B. T. Holm, Sven Nessa, Severin Brattebo and E. E. Savareid. Besides the many flower offerings where were gifts of money made to missions in memory of Mr. Helvig. Below is a partial list of friends and relatives at the funeral:

Mrs. O. T. Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hanson and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Egeland, Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Thompson and Cosette, all of Roland; Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Anderson of Nevada; Mr. and Mrs. Hilmer Harris of Hubbard; Mr. and Mrs. Tollef Thompson and Albert, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mehlow of McCallsburg; Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Wicks, Thelma and Marjorie, and VeNetta Carver of Zearing; Mr. Christenson, John Olson, Peter Olson and Waltin Olson of Calamus; Mrs. Susan Berkland of Morris, Ill.; Daniel Helvig of Senca, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Alva Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Warner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Postal of Maxwell; Mr. and Mrs. Chas Flemming and Mr. and Mrs. Chas Leaman of Colo; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Nelson, Mr. Maland of Slater; Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Holland of Kelley; Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Durrell and Robert Giebelstein of Ames; Mrs. Henry Erickson of Sheldahl; Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Barnes, Myrtle Torkelson, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Helvig and Donald and Robert, Mrs. Virgil Kring, all of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. C. Sherman Helvig and Deloris and Beverly jean, Mrs. Georgene Millett, Mrs. Mary Ahrens, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Johnson, Mr. Robinson and O. O. Ostrem, all of Jewell; Mr. and Mrs. Keesee of Ellsworth, Mrs. A. A. Hattle of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Stanley Collins of Eldor; Mr. and Mrs. Mitterling of Webster City; Mr. and Mrs. Palmer L. Helvig of San Diego, Cal.

Mr. Helvig was laid to rest in the family lot in Fairview cemetery.