HELMER DANIELSON
HELMER DANIELSON
With heavy heart and great sadness…
Helmer Duane Danielson (Ham) passed away the morning of Oct. 17, 2023, at age 81.
Helmer was born to Francis and Thea Danielson in Galesville, WI, Nov. 10, 1941. His family moved a few times before finally settling at the farm on West Road in Black River Falls, WI, in 1952. He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1959. Shortly after high school, Helmer proudly joined the U.S. Navy and served on the admiral’s ship, USS Eldorado, as a machinist.
After his stint in the U.S. Navy, he came back to Black River Falls. A short time later, on a blind date to the Westby Ski Jump with his brother, Laverne, and future sister-in-law, Karen (Buttke), he met Judy Gaede, the love of his life.
Helmer and Judy married March 15, 1964. They lived in Black River Falls their entire 59 years together and raised three children, Duane, Brian and Mary Beth.
A hard-working man, Helmer worked as a machinist his entire career. He worked at Nelson Muffler, and D&S Steel, where he ultimately retired from.
His real passion, however, was working in the cemetery. He was the cemetery sexton for Little Norway Lutheran Church for several years, as well as head usher. He sold and set monuments and dug many graves throughout Jackson County with his father and sons (and occasionally a brother or two) at his side. A job some might find morbid, but to Helmer it was a job that needed to be done, and he did that job with pride and respect.
Helmer loved golfing with Judy, his children and other family members. Bingo Bango Bongo was usually part of his golf game, along with an occasional “did your skirt fly up in your face,” asked by Judy when he would come up short on a putt. And although Helmer was no Jack Nicklaus, he still managed a hole in one in the summer of 1998.
His lefse-making skills will be greatly missed. The few thousand lefse Helmer and Judy made over the years, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas, were enjoyed by many. Hunters in the Danielson family always had a pocket of lefse in the woods.
Helmer is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy; his children, Duane (Nancy) Danielson, Brian (Linda) Danielson and Mary Danielson; grandchildren Ben (Lexi) Danielson, Matthew (Ashley) Danielson, Ethan Danielson and Jeremy Danielson; great-grandchild Brooks Danielson; nephew Dan (Jennifer) McKevitt, as well as many other nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his siblings, Darlene Hansen, Betsey (Leon) Janssen, Sharon Peterson, Ron Danielson and Karl (Betty) Danielson).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Thea Danielson; an infant brother; brother Laverne Danielson; sister Mary McKevitt; brothers-in-law James and Allen Gaede, Gerald Ripp, Donald Hansen, and Robert Peterson; and sister-in-law Sheila Danielson.
Funeral services will be held at Little Norway Lutheran Church Nov. 4, 2023, at noon, with a private graveside burial, followed by a celebration for Helmer at Skyline Golf Course from 2-6 p.m. The celebration for Helmer at Skyline will be just that. We ask that family and friends join us in doing so. As Helmer would have said, “come on in if your face is clean, and let’s have a barley pop.”
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Black River Memorial Hospital for their care of Helmer, the last couple of years especially. To Steve Collins and also Marla and Darryl Nelson, you were always quick to help out. Thank you! And to Uncle Ron, it was a blessing for dad to have you so close by. Seeing him get excited about a ride with you was priceless. Thank you for always being there!
Torgerson’s Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family, 715-284-4321.