Date of Birth:
Friday, October 25, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Age:
89 years old

Harold N. Helleck

Harold Norman Helleck, 89, went to be with the Lord peacefully surrounded by his daughters and holding his wife Susan’s hand, on February 5^th, 2025.

Harold was born on October 25, 1935, in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, to Theodore and Jane Helleck.  He was the youngest of 5 children: Thelma, Josephine, Art, and Rocky, all deceased.

He attended Country School until 9th grade where he started Blooming Prairie High School. After graduation, he joined the Army, serving as a Medic in France.  Upon completion of his service, he attended Mankato State, where he earned his Business Administration and Teaching degrees.

While in college he met the love of his life and best friend Susan Young of Austin, Minnesota.  They were happily married for 67 years.  He began his career at Collin’s Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before joining IBM-Rochester where he was a Senior Engineer/Project Manager, retiring after 37 years of service.

Harold and Susan had two daughters whom he adored: Hally (Dennis Woolsey) and Heidi (Bradley Sprang).  He was blessed with 5 grandchildren: Brandon and Marissa Woolsey; Andrew, Gabby, and Sophie Sprang.

Harold enjoyed hunting and fishing with Susan as well as spending summers at their cabin in Northern Minnesota.  In his retirement years, he and Susan enjoyed traveling abroad and spent the winters as “Snowbirds” in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Education was important to Harold, and he encouraged learning with each of his children and grandchildren.  As a testimony to this belief, he has donated his body to the Mayo Medical School for medical students to enhance their learning and research studies.

Harold’s family would like to thank: Dr. Hartzell Schaff – Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Randall Thomas (and staff) Cardiology, Dr. Matthew Thomas – Primary Care, and Dr. Andy Boch (and staff) – Palliative Medicine.  Special thanks to our angel, Mary Giesler – R.N. who we believe was sent from heaven to care for Harold and his family during his final days at Saint Mary’s hospital.

The family would also like to thank the employees of HyVee South for their kindness and assistance over the past few years.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church, with military honors and a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

The family requests any donations to Seasons Hospice or the Bethel Lutheran Church Music Department.