ARLAN G. HELSTAD

ARLAN G. HELSTAD

     Arlan G. Helstad, born July 31, 1935, passed on to Eternal Glory on May 22, 2024. 

     Arlan was born and raised in the rural hills of Ettrick on numerous farms, as it was in those days where one would move to find work. Born of Norwegian roots, it was the language he was raised in until school began.

     Raised with four other siblings and being the youngest allowed him ample opportunity to run the woods and have many adventures with family and friends.

     Most activities of that day revolved around church, specifically the French Creek Lutheran Church, and social events in the area. Being a wonderful singer and musically gifted, Arlan was prompted – no, “told” - along with his sister, Doris, to “perform” in many “programs” orchestrated by his mother and Aunt Ella.

     The days of his youth were also filled with hard work, as he often found himself working on neighboring farms as a hired hand or toiling in the fields as the youth of that day did.

     In 1953, while living on what was called the “Bjorge Place,” Arlan graduated from Blair High School. He soon found himself employed at the Trane Company in La Crosse. He worked there for two years, realizing quite quickly that assembly line work was not for him. 

     In the fall of 1955, Arlan volunteered for the draft and joined the Navy. He was stationed in Key West, FL, as the mechanist mate aboard the U.S.S. Saufley, a destroyer. His travel took him from Cuba to Kingston, Jamaica. It was while he was in the Navy that the Gideons provided him with a New Testament Bible. This began to pique his curiosity towards a relationship with God. It was the start of a great thing to come. 

     Once out of the service, Arlan started school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall of 1957. There, while attending classes, he met the love of his life Janice (Jan) Yocom at a dance held at Turner Hall. It truly was love at first sight. They were married on July 4, 1959.

     So, a country boy from rural Ettrick met a girl from Watertown, SD, and the stage was set for God’s providence on their future.

     With Jan working at Dairyland Insurance and later Viking Insurance and Arlan graduating with a bachelor of science degree from the UW, they began their life together. Arlan accepted a job as a microbiologist at the UW State Lab in Madison. Eventually, at the prompting of the administrator of the state hygiene lab, Arlan went to the University of Michigan and obtained a degree in public health laboratory practice and returned to the UW State Lab to be the acting director of microbiology. 

     During their time in Madison, the Lord began to do work in both of their hearts. Their love of the outdoors and the hustle-bustle of Madison were not a good fit, so they began looking for land. The Lord led them to a 120-acre tract outside Northfield.

     This became their dream property. Jan first quit her job and after 20 years, Arlan quit his job; 1979 became a turning point in their lives. This land, which was once called “Purgatory” by locals, was now “Paradise” to Arlan and Jan.

     Once the move was finalized in 1983, they realized the need to immerse themselves in the community, so they began to get involved with some local churches. 

     Buildings began to be erected on the property. A small workshop over a garage quickly became the “Carpenters Shop” and eventually became the “Upper Room.” 

     These were wonderful, busy times as the construction of a house proceeded. The activity in the middle of the 120 acres became like a beehive. Brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and other relatives all had a hand in the project. They lived in “Tent City,” a tarp village, so to speak, while construction ensued. 

     Eventually a “home” was built, and the calling of the Lord became a reality. It was here, on the “Sanctified Property” that the calling of the Lord descended upon Arlan, and he realized his need of a Savior. According to Arlan, these most powerful words came from his lips that evening, “Jesus, all I want is you.” From that day forward Arlan and Jan dedicated their lives to serving the Lord.

     Ministries soon began, starting with a Bible study in the Upper Room in 1986. Arlan became involved with the Gideons, handing out Bibles and giving out reports to numerous churches from 1987 to 1992. 

     In 1992, Arlen was called to pastor the Living Word Church in Independence, then left in 2005 to begin a small church of faithful believers at the Upper Room and it became the Living Word Church. 

     Also, during this time, Arden and Jan began ministering to numerous area nursing homes, preaching and singing. This continued for 25 years.

     Since 1992, the Living Word Church and its small community of faithful believers has helped people spiritually, nurtured them through difficult times, supported numerous ministries, testified of the faithfulness of Christ and seen nonbelievers become born again in wonderous changed lives. Their family has grown not only in blood relatives but in relatives born again by the blood of the Lamb.

     A ministry is never complete but is carried on in the lives that Arlan and Jan have touched through the years.

     It has been asked many times, “What is the measure of a man?”

     1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him, the Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

     The measure of a man is determined by his Christlikeness. This is who Arlan was. He put the Lord first in all things.

     Arlan’s favorite verse is found in Proverbs 3:5,6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will direct your paths.” This truly is who Arlan Helstad was. 

     Arlan is survived by his loving wife, Jan; brother Merlin (Ann) Helstad; sister Doris (Roy) Modahl; numerous nieces and nephews, and spiritual daughters Melanie Simon and Peggy Olevson

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Orrin Helstad, his brother Allen Helstad and sister Eunice Ellifson.

     The visitation and funeral service will be held at French Creek Lutheran Church Monday, June 3, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with funeral services to begin at 10:45 a.m. Military honors and burial will be held immediately after at the French Creek Cemetery. Pastor Doug Bjerke will be officiating. 

     Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Helstad family during this difficult time.