Russell Lee VERHELST

VERHELST, LEWIS, HELPS, SCHMIDT, LANGLITZ

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/7/2008 at 18:55:43

KLEMME - Russell L. VerHelst, 66, of Klemme, a lifelong resident and farmer in the Goodell and Klemme areas, died unexpectedly Tuesday (July, 1, 2008) on his farmland that he loved so dearly in rural Klemme. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 5, at the Klemme United Methodist Church in Klemme, with the Rev. Donna Buckman and the Rev. Donald Thompson officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Friday, July 4, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 E. Main St., Klemme, and will continue one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church. The family suggests those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Russell's name consider the Klemme United Methodist Church, to the family or to a charity of their own choice.

Russell Lee VerHelst was born Sept. 15, 1941, on a farm outside of Swaledale, the son of Mell and Josie (Lewis) VerHelst. He was one of five children born to Mell and Josie. He attended and graduated from Belmond High School in Belmond, with the Class of 1959. Russell was united in marriage to JoAnn Helps on June 3, 1962, at the Klemme United Methodist Church. Following their marriage Russ and JoAnn lived in the Goodell and Klemme areas. Their union was blessed with two children, Rodney and Christine. Russell and JoAnn farmed and raised their family on farms west of Goodell and later moved to a farm east of Klemme where they made their home for 38 years. For the past three years they had lived in the town of Klemme. Russell was a farmer through and through for his entire life. He absolutely loved to work the earth and raise a bountiful crop. He received great satisfaction and pleasures in raising and caring for nurse cattle and the calves that were born. Russell was very much a horse enthusiast and had cared for and worked with many teams of horses during his life. His love for the horses brought with it an interest in the restoration and the building of various carriage and wagon racks for them to pull about, as well as a chance to work the horse in front of an antique implement. The family and friends recall on many occasions when a buggy, carriage, or wagon ride alongside, or with Russ at the helm might turn into an adventure if the horses thought it was necessary. Russell's favorite breed of horses were Hackney's, though his love of horses was universal. Russell's fondness for animals was also shared in the lives of many of his dogs. In addition to his vocation as a farmer, Russ had worked for a time at the Goodell Grocery which later became We-3, as a butcher. He had also sold Walnut Grove Feeds and worked at Eaton Corporation in Belmond for many years.

Russ and JoAnn had enjoyed motorcycle riding and had taken various trips with friends over the years. He loved camping and was an avid fisherman. He looked forward to fishing excursions to Canada and Minnesota, but many of his favorite fishing memories were spent on family fishing adventures teaching his children and grandchildren about his beloved sport. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed times spent watching horse racing, boxing and various other sporting events on TV. In more recent times Russ had taken a liking to watching college softball. His absolutely loved spectating and supporting his children in their extracurricular activities and in later years cheering for his grandchildren at their events. Russ was their No. 1 fan in life. He was a man filled with a great sense of humor, wit, and of course cherished the opportunity to share a one-liner, or play a part in a joke. He had a great ability to make you laugh. Russell loved old Western movies and was an avid reader of Louis Lamour books. In earlier years Russ and his wife and family spent many times together with friends and family at sing-a-longs where he shared the gift of his wonderful voice. The family and friends also reflect fondly on many trips with Russ to the Clay County Fair. Many family and friends will cherish the items that Russ had handcrafted for them over the years of his hobby of woodworking. He had made many items such as hope chests, Matchbox Car ramps, dorm lofts, headboards, and Barbie doll houses. He loved to work with loving hands and spent countless hours in his woodshop. Russ always had a special place in his heart for children. In addition to his love for times with his family and friends, Russell gave of his time to support the community and education system of his town by serving on the Klemme School Board and through many years of civic involvement and membership in the Klemme Lions Club. Russ was a longtime member of the Klemme United Methodist Church. Russ will be missed by his family and many friends for his adventuresome personality, his boundless humor and for just being a kid at heart. His life path will be vacant in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren and siblings, but his legacy will burn bright in their hearts.

Russell's memory will live on in the lives of his wife, JoAnn VerHelst, of Klemme; his son, Rod and wife, Chris, of Des Moines; and his daughter, Chris and her husband, Steve Schmidt, of Dallas Center; a sister, Gail Langlitz and her husband, Larry, of Goodell; two brothers: Lester VerHelst of West Liberty and Leland VerHelst and his wife, Norma, of Otley, Iowa; his grandchildren, Kari, Jacob, Jennifer, Jackie and Ryan; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Russ was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Virginia; six step-brothers; and two step-sisters. Andrews Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette
July 4, 2008