Reuben Norman Hellekson

So, on August 3, 1922 – God made a farmer.  On January 10, 2018 – God took that farmer Home.  Reuben Norman Hellekson was born August 3, 1922 in Edmore, ND to Halvor and Annie Hellekson.  Dad attended school in Edmore.  He entered the U.S Army and was stationed in Kentucky, when he returned home he took over the family farm – where he continued to farm until the summer of 2017.  Dad met Mildred Holum at a dance, they were married on December 28, 1944, they continued The Dance for 62 years.  Mildred died on February 24, 2006.  They raised 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters on the family farm.  Dad farmed, drove the school bus, and raised cattle.  He was a devoted member of the Concordia Lutheran Church, a member of the Elks, played in the Elks Band, and the Second Wind Band in Grand Forks, and sang in the Men’s Elks Chorus.  Dad and Mom square danced their way through North Dakota.  Dad loved music.  He always said, “Music can change your mood.”  Dad was a true farmer whose love of the land ran deep.  Dad found companionship and a love of dancing with Dolly Mostad and his children found her to be such a blessing.

Reuben is survived by his children: Barbara (Jim) Wright, Bismarck, ND; Dianne (Monte) Doerr, Bismarck, ND; Wayne (Jane) Hellekson, Grand Forks, ND; Janice (Paul) Tolbert, Breckenridge, MN; Jane (Kent) DeSautel, Nisswa, MN.  14 grandchildren: Jason (Carrie) Wright, Bismarck, ND; Kristin (Jeremy) Barth, Bismarck, ND; Andrea (Corey) Greff, Bismarck, ND; Erica Doerr, San Fransico, CA; Josiah (Jenna) Hellekson, Katy, TX; Jessica (Cody) Bren, Red Rock, AZ; Kyler (Stephanie) Hellekson, Devils Lake, ND; Hannah Hellekson, Bismarck, ND; Sheena and Zachary Hellekson, Grand Forks, ND; Emmy, Peter, and Joshua Tolbert, Breckenridge, MN.  16 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dick Stevens, Mesa, AZ; and sister-in-law, Beverly Hellekson, Tacoma, WA.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son-Roger, brother-Glenn, sister-Alvina, sister-in-law-Shirley Stevens.

The funeral Service for Reuben will be held at the Concordia Lutheran Church of Edmore on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour before the service.  Burial will be in the spring at the Edmore Cemetery.

We, the family of Reuben would like to thank the St. Vincent’s Home of Bismarck, ND for their kind compassionate care; Concordia Lutheran Church and the Edmore community for all their love and support and to the friends and family for their continued contact and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to Edmore Memorial Rest Home and the Edmore Concordia Lutheran Church.

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