Ernest Helgenset, 86, died on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Ernest was born on August 6, 1918 in Grafton, ND the son of Ole John and Sophia Hildeborg (Skjerven) Helgenset. He was raised and attended school in the Adams area. At the age of 16 he moved with his family to Thief River Falls.

On June 18, 1939, Ernest was united in marriage to Pearl Jeanette Furuseth in Mavie, MN. The couple lived in Michigan for five years while working at the Defense Plant at Pontiac, MI during World War II. They moved back to Thief River Falls in 1945, when he went to work for Forsbergs as a turning lathe operator. In 1948 he and his brother owned and operated Helgenset Heating, Plumbing and Air Conditioning for 14 years, he then worked of Dow Key, farmed west of town for 34 years and worked in the Engineering Department at Artic Cat. They moved off the farm in Numedal Township, into Thief River Falls in 1992. Pearl died on March 19, 1998.

Ernest enjoyed working, fishing, hunting, and traveling. He loved to restore cars, which could take a couple years a car with all original paint and chroming. Ernest donated his Model T to Pioneer Village.

He is survived by his children Ordell Adkins, Thief River Falls, Betty (Sadaharu) Honda, Pittsburgh, PA, Rodney (Lee) Helgenset, Thief River Falls; sister Evelyn Swanson, Thief River Falls; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Ernest was preceded in death by his wife Pearl, parents, brothers Oliver, Harry, Arnold; sisters Elida, Olava, Selma and Julanda.