Donald Helling

Donald Helling age 81 of Balaton, MN died Friday, December 21, 2007 at the Avera-Marshall Medical Center in Marshall, MN. Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, December 27, 2007 at the Balaton United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday at the New Woodlawn Cemetery in Pipestone, MN following a luncheon at the church. Donald Wayne Helling was born December 16, 1926 to Olaf and Lillian (Marr) Helling in Luverne, MN, Rock County. He was baptized and confirmed at the 1st Methodist Church in Luverne and as a young boy moved with his family to Pipestone, MN. He attended Pipestone Public Schools, graduating from Pipestone High School in 1945. He then attended St Olaf University for two years before returning to Pipestone. On April 16, 1950 Donald married Delores Bowles at the 1st Methodist Church of Pipestone and made their home in Pipestone. Donald worked for Pipestone National Bank before moving to Minneapolis, MN and going to work for First Service Corporation, bank examiners. In 1953 they moved to Alexandria, MN where he worked for the Alexandria bank until 1956. They then moved to Boone, IA where Donald worked for the Hawkeye Savings and Loan from 1956 till 1963. That year they moved to Loveland, CO where he went to work for the Loveland Savings and Loan and later became manager of the Big Thompson Federal Credit Union until his retirement in 1988. In 1999 Donald and Delores moved to Balaton, MN. Over the years Donald was very active in the communities he was a part of. He was a past active member of Jaycees, Elks, Lions Club and past president of the Chamber of Commerce in Loveland. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, staying current on electronics, such as cameras and computers and collecting many things including stamps and coins. On Friday, December 21, 2007 Donald died at the Avera-Marshall Medical Center in Marshall, MN at the age of 81. Donald is survived by his wife, Delores of Balaton, MN; one daughter, Pamela (David) Ray of Ruthton, MN; seven grandchildren, Amy (Earl) DeZeeuw, Daniel Ray, Randy (Special friend, Amber Kangas) Ray, Amanda Ray, Megan Ray, Dakota Ray and April Ray; two great grandchildren, Erik DeZeeuw and Cody DeZeeuw; one aunt; one uncle; three cousins; and many friends. His one son, Erik and his parents preceded him in death.