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John Sidney Helling, Jr age 94 of New Richmond died Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Deerfield Gables Care Center. John was born March 29, 1926 and grew up on a large acre farm outside of Hanska, MN. He graduated from Hanska High School in 1943. He went into the Army in 1944 and served in the 31st infantry in the Phillipines in Leyte and Mindanao until 1946. He received the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for his service. John attended Gustavus Adolphus College from 1947-1951. He was married to Joan Belle Hughes on February 16, 1952. The couple was blessed with three children, John (Tammy) Helling, III, Jane (Henry) Cohn, and Jilene (Jon) Bjork. His loving wife Joan passed away on July 21, 2003 and Jane, his beautiful daughter, passed away on December 31, 2006. John is further survived by his five grandchildren, Jenny (Thomas) Fuller-Helling, Jamie (Justin) Gervais, Henry John (Kathrine) Cohn, Carter (Mandy) Cohn, Kelly (Cody) DeJardin; six great-grandchildren, Hunter, Lucas, Emelia Gervais, Olivia and Henry Cohn, and Cameron Fuller. John is fondly known as “Grandpa John” to Julie and Richard Valenzuela and their children, Angelo, Lorenzo, Jesenia and Antonio; as well as, Jennifer Stotesbery and Cristy Jensen, their children Edison and Eleanor; Shayla Goss with fiance’ John Melzarek, Shontal Goss and her boyfriend Aaron Tamm. John’s life included many accomplishments while working for Wilson Packing and Archer Daniels Midland in the mid- ‘50’s and 60’s. Working as the corporate credit manager in the turkey operation for Domain Industries from 1960-1978 and from 1979-1991 at Dynatronic’s in Amery. Completing his career as the founding partner and president at Amery Technical Products (1984-1999). He as proudly been involved with several organizations through the years which included, New Richmond Kiwanis, VFW Post #10818, American Legion Post #80, Northwest Credit Association, and the New Richmond Cemetery as a board member. John was a founding member of the Veterans Memorial and a long-time member of First Lutheran Church, serving as president of the Church council. He loved to spend his free time with all of his family and friends. John enjoyed time spent outside, golfing, fishing and pheasant hunting. His “happy” place was his cabin on Big Sissabagama Lake located outside of Stone Lake, WI. A visitation was held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 3-8 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 S Knowles Ave) all guests were required to wear their masks and practice CDC mitigation guidelines, which includes physical distancing. A PRIVATE Family Funeral was held on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:00 am at Bakken-Young and was live streamed via link see below. Interment was in the New Richmond Cemetery with military honors performed by the American Legion Post #80. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
16 Comments
John was a very close friend and we called each other daily. He was always concerned about my wife and I and wanted the best for us as we moved to our new home. John loved to golf and even at age 92 was able to drive the ball as far as most of us could do. He will be dearly missed. Our sympathies go out to John Jr. and Jill.
We will miss John so very much. He has been a very special person, friend, neighbor and adopted father figure since we moved to New Richmond over 39 years ago. We first became part of the same church family, but later we became neighbors for 27 years. He and Joan watched over us like we were their own children. John will be welcomed into heaven with opened arms from God and fellow Saints! We love you, John! Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family.
John, was a great friend to all, I will miss him a lot..
John was a wonderful friend and neighbor. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers for John’s family. Sending our deepest sympathies. Mike & Patty Burke
John was a good friend and neighbor – a fine man. My sympathy to son, John, and daughter, Jill, and their families.
Bonnie and I will miss John. We got to know him and his wife Joan when we moved into the neighborhood in 1976. They were always interested in our kids when we walked with them and enjoyed talking with them. As a volunteer at the Deerifield I had the opportunity to stop and spend time with John before the virus hit us all. God bless John may you rest in peace. We will miss your smile.
My deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends, the Helling family have touched my life with such wonderful friendships especially daughter Jane who I will always miss dearly. May God’s love bring you comfort.
John will be missed by his family and many friends. My friendship with John & Joan began in 1979 when he became VP of Finance at my company, Dynatronix in Amery. He and I became business partners in 1984 when we started Amery Technical Products, Inc. as a contract manufacturing company for 3M. John became President of AmTec. Our business relationship continued until his retirement in 1999, at which time he sold his interest to my three sons. John’s financial and business knowledge and experience were very instrumental in the continued success of both organizations.
John was truly a personal friend and I thank him for his support over the past years when I experienced the loss of loved ones. May God’s love be a comfort to his family and friends!
Such a wonderful and caring man. My heart is heavy.
My deepest sympathies to John, Jill your children and grandchildren. What a fine man. I remember many times at your house with Jane during high school and college. What a life well lived. I last saw him when he worked my father’s funeral 3 years ago at church. Cherish your memories.
May you Rest In Peace Grandpa John! Mike and I are honored to have met you and to have shared a love and friendship with you. You have made an wonderful impact on our lives and you have been a great influence on how we want to be as Grandparents. Prayers and love to all of the Helling family. Peace be with you all!
Denny and I are so sorry for your loss. Big John was such a good friend to the both of us. We sort of adopted him as a part “dad” to us both. He was a great conversationalist and had so many interesting stories to tell. We both loved his philosophy of life in that you are never too old to play golf. buy new cars, and have a cocktail with friends at the end of the day at the lake. He was truly a man to be remembered and we will miss him greatly.
Jill – You and your family are in my prayers – let me know if i can do anything for you.
John was such a fine caring man and It was a joy to know him.. I will remember the last tme I visited with him at Deerfield for the church service in February, we were at a table with Don and Shirley Holmberg. Now both he and Don are in heaven having coffee. My sympathy to the family. He will be missed.
My deepest sympathies to family & friends. John was a wonderful neighbor & friend. As previous business owners I enjoyed our conversations about ‘business’. May you rest in peace John.
What a great man he was. He will be missed by so many. Our sympathy to the family.
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