Lester Helmeke
April 24, 1928 ~ October 6, 2015
Lester “Les” L. Helmeke, 87, Fargo passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2015.
Les was born April 24, 1928 in Fargo, North Dakota to Fred and Lavinia (Zignego) Helmeke. He was raised on the family farm outside of Georgetown, MN. He attended country school in Viding Township and continued school in Felton, MN before graduating from Moorhead High School in 1946.
He began farming with his brother, Loren, near Georgetown, MN. After being drafted into the U.S. Army, he graduated from Officer Candidate School. He served in the Korean Conflict under the 120th Engineer Combat Battalion 45th Division as a 2nd Lt. Platoon Leader.
After being honorably discharged, he attended Wahpeton School of Science where he pursued an architecture/drafting degree. On June 3, 1956 he married Verna Hagen at Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland ND. He worked at Simonson Lumber in Grand Forks for 40 years until his retirement as a Draftsman/Estimator. He worked for Crary realty in Grand Forks after his retirement.
Les was a self-proclaimed ‘Rock Hound’ and enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, bowling, photography, golfing and gardening. Les was an accomplished artist and he enjoyed creating watercolors and oil paintings.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Verna, Fargo; children, Laurie (Nestor) Jaramillo, Edina, MN, Linda (Bruce) Sword, Rosemount, MN, Kristi (Jason) McSparron, West Fargo, ND; sister, Isabelle Mills, Seattle, WA; brothers, Loren Helmeke, Fargo, ND, Waldo Helmeke, St. Peter, MN, Kerry (Kay) Helmeke, Chapin, SC; grandchildren, Jesse Skow, Fargo, ND, Justin Skow, Fargo, ND, Zachary (Jessica) Click, Fargo, ND, Carmen (Greg) Jaramillo Caswell, Chicago, IL, Nicholas (fiancé Brittany) Jaramillo, St. Louis Park, MN, Ryan Sword, Grand Forks, ND and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Harold, Maynard, Lloyd.
Prayer Service: 7:00 P.M. Sunday, October 11, 2015 at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo with visitation starting at 5:00 P.M.
Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 12, 2015 at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo.
Interment: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
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Our condolences to Verna and the kids. So sorry this happened so suddenly. May Uncle Lester Rest In Peace, Amen. We keep you all in our daily thoughts and prayers.
Kristi and your family Sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lorraine
Kristi and family,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, please know you are in our prayers.
Jill & Darryl
Linda and Family,
I am thinking of you during this hard time. Your Dad sounded like a great North Dakotan! I am sure he will be missed. Take care – Trina
Our prayers and condolences cousin Verna and all your family. I’ll remember Les as never complaining and upbeat and all his beautiful paintings. We treasure the Christmas card you sent with one of his landscape watercolors, so sorry to hear of his sudden passing. We will be there for you and your children.
Jean and Marvin
Laurie and family,
We got to know Les when we waited on him several years ago. He was such a kind man. We are sorry for your loss.
With love and prayers,
Sue and Brian Kraft
We extend our sympathy to all of you. Happy memories from 27th Ave. south!
Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Linda,
You and your family are in my prayers!
Debbie Guckenberg
Laurie and Linda and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May your wonderful memories bring smiles in the days to come.
God Bless,
Stacey
Linda,
I just watched the video…what a beautiful tribute to your dad. I know you will all miss him terribly. Praying for your family and that you will be surrounded in His peace during this time of grief and that the memories you have will make you smile in the days to come. My dad also sends his condolences.
Susie and Jeff
I was so sorry to see that Les had passed. He was a wonderful man and a great friend to my parents, Bruce and Betty Betcher, in Grand Forks. Les was a man of many talents and hobbies and alway interested in talking with Bruce about thier war experiences and history. My thoughts go out to Verna and all the children and grandchildren. Les will be missed but you will be comforted by all the warm rememberances of the time you had together. God bless you all.
I was saddened to hear of Les’s passing. My condolences to his wife and family. I was priviledged to be a part of his health care team. He handled everything with such great dignity, and I always looked forward to seeing him.
Sincerely, Cynthia Smith PA, Sanford Vascular Services &Wound Clinic
So sorry to hear about the loss of Les. He was a kind man, I have fond memories of him. I pray that your memories will bring you comfort and God’s promise of eternal life will bring you peace.
Love and Blessings,
Connie and Todd Gandrud
I enjoyed him so much that entering Simonson Lumber here in GF it was always a hoot. Such a
great guy. Bless him and we ask God’s blessing on his entire family during this difficult time!