Harold John Helten

Harold J. Helten, 84 of Devils Lake formerly of Calio, ND passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Wednesday morning, October 27, 2010 in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial for Harold will be held on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 12:00 noon at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Peter Sharpe will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and North Dakota Honors Military Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm, with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 2:00 pm. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Harold John Helten was born in Mahnomen, Minnesota, on May 26, 1926, to Nick and Theresa (Guck) Helten, the sixth of seven children. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Calio, ND, where he was educated in country schools. Harold served in the United States Air Force from 1950 through 1954 as an aircraft mechanic, stationed in Japan during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Harold married Margaret (Marge) Frelich on June 28, 1958, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in rural Crary, ND. The couple began their married life in Minneapolis, MN, where their daughter Darlene was born. They later moved to Cando, ND, where their sons, Merlin and Jerome were born. They moved to Devils Lake in 1964, where he worked for Jerry’s Auto Service for a time before opening his own shop, Harold’s Automotive Repair in 1972. His son, Merlin, took over the business in 1987, at which time Harold retired and began to devote many hours to creating beautiful woodwork for his family, his friends, and his church. He was one of the four founding members of the International Ham Fest, established in 1964 at the Peace Gardens. His other talents and interests included remote control airplanes, flying a gyrocopter with his brother-in-law, Alex Frelich, riding in an ultra light plane with his son, Merlin, playing his accordion, and dancing to good old time music with the love of his life, Marge. At the age of 84, he was still riding bike with Marge on summer evenings to watch the sunset from a bench in Ruger Park. He could fix most anything and if he didn’t have the necessary tool, he would make it. He was a humble man of many talents and strong faith. He loved his family very much and spent many hours with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Marge; children, Darlene Helten Borgerson, Brinsmade, ND, Merlin Helten and his wife Darcy, Devils Lake, Jerome Helten and his wife Kim, Devils Lake; five grandchildren, Jenni and her husband Joey Dion, Seth Eisenzimmer, Britt, Macie and Brennen Helten; three great grandchildren, Tyler, Kylie and Jolie; sister, Marcella Schuler of Fargo, ND, as well as many nieces, nephews and their families. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Clarence, Raymond and Erwin Helten; sisters Marion Ristow and Erma Berg; infant granddaughters, Arabella and Araminta Helten. Serving as Casket Bearers for Harold will be Curtis and Colleen Schuler, Marlys and Don Hareland, Arlene and Bob Adahl, Jim and Carol Schuler and Duane and Pam Schuler. Reading Sacred Scriptures will be Kim Helten and Darcy Helten. Gift Bearers will be Jenni Dion, Britt Helten, Seth Eisenzimmer, Macie Helten and Brennen Helten. Music will be provided by John Frelich and JoDee Lagein.