Newfolden
- Bill Helm, 55, died Wednesday, September 27, 2000 at Northwest
Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 1 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Newfolden with Rev. Ollie Urdahl officiating. Sheila Nelson was the organist, and special music was provided by Deland Elseth and Wendy Blazejewski. Blake Owens read a poem by Betty Helm. Casketbearers were Gary Ray Nelson, Howard Hodne, Wesley Staie, Dale Price, Eddie Jagol and Joe Jagol. Honorary casketbearers were Bill's friends at New Hope Lutheran Church and all of the musicians he worked with through the years. Interment was in Bethlehem Cemetery with Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls in charge of the arrangements.
William Ernest Helm was born on October 6, 1944 in Crookston, the son of Lloyd and Esther (Owens) Helm. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. He attended school near the family farm in Brandt township near Angus.
On March 17, 1962, he was united in marriage to Betty Lou Nelson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden. The couple lived and farmed near Angus until 1967 when they moved to the Newfolden area to farm. In 1992, Bill started Helm Graveling and Landscaping which he ran with his son, Kevin, until his death. He drove blade for New Solum township and also worked for Thygeson Construction. He worked construction throughout his adult life.
He was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church.
Bill enjoyed music and played various instruments, including guitar, fiddle and mandolin. He shared his passion for music with his family and in 1986, took them to Nashville, Tenn. where his daughters did a recording of "Nashville For Daddy." In 1970, Bill started the "Country Four," and in the early 1980's, the band was renamed "Wildwood Flower," named for the first song he learned on guitar. His children joined him, playing in the band for many years. The most recent band Bill was in was "Down Home."
He also enjoyed collecting guitars, hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren and telling them stories about his childhood days, gardening, landscaping, planting trees and being outdoors.
Bill is survived by his wife, Betty Lou of Newfolden; two daughters, Kari (Lance) Moen of Newfolden and Shelly Helm (special friend Jason Guzek) of Newfolden; a son, Kevin (Connie) Helm of Newfolden; 12 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; three brothers, Roger (Ruth) Helm of Pendelton, Ore., and Dennis (Norma) Helm and Ron (Sue) Helm, both of Newfolden; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
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