Douglas D. Helder
Thursday, September 17, 1925
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Age:
86 years old
Visitation
Date: Sunday February 12, 2012
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Monday February 13, 2012
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Monday February 13, 2012
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Thursday, September 17, 1925
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Age:
86 years old
Thursday, September 17, 1925
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Age:
86 years old
Douglas D. Helder
Douglas D. Helder 86 of Rochester passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family at his home on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Doug fought a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on September 17, 1925 in Cottonwood County to Daniel and Minnie (Hylarides) Helder.
Doug’s high school education in Windom, Minnesota was interrupted by WWII. He did proudly receive his diploma in 1999. He served in the Navy as an electrician on four different ships from 2-4-43 to 10-30-46 his favorite being the USS Biloxi. Doug often recalled his Navy memories including witnessing the atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll.
Doug married Elizabeth Tierney the love of his life on April 15, 1947. He was employed as a mechanic in Madelia, Minnesota until moving to Rochester in 1957. He was the service manager for four Rochester Pontiac Dealerships until his retirement from Tom Kadlec Motors. His strong work ethic and love of people brought him back to Tom Kadlec driving courtesy shuttle. He enjoyed hunting, fishing along with golfing and traveling with Liz in their motor home. Doug’s priority was always his family and he loved Wednesday ‘family park night’.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, two daughters Patricia (Arnold) Blum of Mantorville and Mary (Dan) Holmberg of Rochester and six sons Daniel (Cheryl) of Stewartville, Cameron (Pam) of Pine Island, Mark (Bonnie) of Rochester, Huey (Joanne) of Rochester, Ken (Janet) of Mantorville, and Phil (Linda) of Rochester along with 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren and sister Mona (Joe) Whitley of Rogers, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rexford and sisters Joyce Leopold, Phyllis Hanson and Norma Berge.
A wake will be held on Sunday, February 12 from 4-7 pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. A Celebration of Life will be at St Francis Catholic Church at 10:30 am Monday, February 13. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Disabled Veterans of Rochester, Minnesota.
Condolences
The family of Douglas D. Helder has received the following condolences.
We want to extend our sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your father. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Ken & Diane
Dan & Mary and Family, The entire Helder Family, sending you my sympathy at the loss of your husband, father, grandfater and friend. Being a good friend of Mary's while we were growing up i have some wonderful memories of your parents and always seeing smiles on there faces. thank goodness for memories as they will never pass and you can hold them dear to your hearts. May God hold you all in his arms to help you through this time of loss. God Bless
Mary,
I wish I could have been there to give you a big hug, I am very sad that I could not make it. I hurt myself last week and still trying to figure out these crutches. Even though time has passed so fast I think of you often and all the wonderful times we had in school. Again I am so sorry for your loss.
Sue
To the entire Helder Family,
I never really met your dad or mom aside from trying to avoid them during party time, but I know almost all of you, and you are all a living testament to your parents, because they raised a wonderful family. God bless you all during this difficult time and know that you have many lifelong friends whose lives you have touched and we feel your sorrow.
Pat Tupper and Family
We had the pleasure of spending time with Doug & Liz at events held in honor of Dan & Cheryl Helder's family.
We know how much he enjoyed these family gatherings & usually the entire family would come & celebrate. He had a fun loving spirit & seemed to roll along with the plan. He had a great sense of humor!
You have our deepest & most sincere sympathy...he will be truly missed by many.
Blessings,
Cramer Family
We were so sorry to hear the passing of Uncle Doug. We really enjoyed the times the Helder clan got together in the summers. Doug has many fond memories growing up with the cousins and all their get togethers. We are unable to come to Dougs celebration of life. But our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Doug and Pam
Doug was one of the first employees I met when I bought the dealership in 1978, he was a great employee and a fine man who loved his family and life, I am saddened to learn of his passing and send condolences to his family Tom Kadlec
Dear Liz and family, We are thinking of you all and are sending our sympathy. We will always remember the good times that we shared with you.
My condolences to your family in the loss of Doug. I remember him well growing up, and being friends with the Helder boys. Gary Clark
Sincere Sympathy to all the Helder family. May God Bless you all.
Del & Mary Voigt, Loyal, WI 2
I miss Doug and Liz at Mac's, but will think of Doug everytime I hear or see something about Betty Boop. My thoughts are with you all.
So very sorry to hear of your dads passing. He was a heck of a guy. I remember him yelling at us when we were roughhousing in the basement with all you kids. He will be missed by many. Again you have our deepest sympathies. Tom and Gloria
Uncle Doug, may you rest in peace. You were a great husband, father and Brother. My Mother will miss you dearly until you meet again. May you dance with the angels.
Rest in peace Doug! I will miss you dearly. I will really miss you at Mac's. I really enjoyed our visits and the 4 O'clock passage time.
I had the pleasure of working with Doug as lotman at Schoon pontiac in 1970...I also knew Mark and Huey