Thief River Falls - Lester Helle, 73, died on Monday, November 27, 2006 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D.
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 1, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Phil Schmidt officiating. Casket bearers include Steve Helle, Mike Helle, Chris Helle, Jeff Thune, Dave Helle, Kalen Helle and Dustin Hopka. Military honors were provided by the American Legion VFW Posts of Thief River Falls. Interment was held at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.
     Lester Lavern Helle was born on October 21, 1933 in rural Thief River Falls, on his family farm, the son of John D. and Jeanette (Jacobson) Helle. He grew to adulthood in rural Thief River Falls and attended school in Thief River Falls.
     Lester served in the United States Air Force, during the Korean Conflict, from 1955 to 1960. He was in the 14th Motor Vehicle Squadron and earned the National Defense Service Medal.
     Lester picked up Anna Lou Miller walking to school and it was love at first sight. Lester and Anna were united in marriage on September 3, 1960 in Wisconsin.  The couple made their home in Thief River  Falls and Lester began working for Prichard Construction, and then Northwestern Trailer Court. He then went to work for Hartz for several years and Arctic Cat for 17 years, in maintenance, retiring in May of 2005.
     He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and camping.  Lester loved to build things and tinker with everything. He also liked woodworking.
     Lester is survived by his wife, Anna Lou of Thief River Falls; one son, Neal Helle of Minneapolis; one grandson; four brothers, Daniel (Zoe) Helle of Thief River Falls,  Norman Helle of Kansas City, Kan., Harvey Helle of Thief River Falls, and Gerald (Jean) Helle of St. Hilaire; one sister, Alice Thune of Thief River Falls; and several nieces and nephews.
     He was preceded in death by one daughter, Jennifer Ann; his parents; one sister, Laura Cariveau and his grandparents.
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Thief River Falls Times