Lester Helle, 73, died on Monday, November 27, 2006 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, December 1, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Phil Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 5:00 P.M. Prayer Service on Thursday evening and Friday morning one hour prior to the service.

Lester Lavern Helle was born on October 21, 1933 in rural Thief River Falls, MN, 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, MN; one son, Neal Helle of Minneapolis, MN; one grandson, Shaye Michael Helle; four brothers: Daniel (Zoe) Helle of Thief River Falls, MN, Norman Helle of Kansas City, KS, Harvey Helle of Thief River Falls, MN, and Gerald (Jean) Helle of St. Hilaire, MN; one sister, Alice Thune of Thief River Falls, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Jennifer Ann; his parents; one sister, Laura Cariveau and his grandparents.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Laurel Johnson
SELECTIONS: "Rock of Ages" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace"
PALLBEARERS: Steve Helle, Mike Helle, Chris Helle, Jeff Thune, Dave Helle, Kalen Helle and Dustin Hopka
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion & VFW Posts of Thief River Falls