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Helmer G. Olsen May 09 2009
Funeral services for Helmer G. Olsen, age 99, of Hayti, SD will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 in the Hayti Lutheran Church, Hayti. Rev. Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. Music will be provided by Helen Prouty, organist with congregational singing. Helmer passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the care center in Lake Norden, SD. He was proud to call Hayti his hometown even when he resided in Watertown and Lake Norden the past few years. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Hayti. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: David Olsen, Daniel Olsen, Donalynn Olsen, Dawn Brandt, Sean Solberg, John Solberg, Previn Solberg, Kjirstin Ringold, and also Terry Brandt. Visitation will be in the Crawford Funeral Chapel, Hayti, on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. and in the church on Tuesday prior to services. Memorials may be directed to the Hayti Lutheran Church or The Pleasant View Cemetery. Helmer was born, the youngest of eight children, on May 19, 1909 to Hans Christ and Gertrude (Tarum) Olsen in Hayti, SD. He attended rural school north of Hayti and continued his education by reading every day and experiencing life to its fullest. At an early age he began farming with his father. On December 8, 1937 Helmer married Rena (Hansen) in Watertown, SD. The couple had one son, Dale and one daughter, Joan. They operated their farm together until they moved to their retirement home nearby. Rena passed away in 1985. Helmer was a life-long member of Hayti Lutheran Church, active in the Farmers Union, the Pleasant View Cemetery Association, and the Hayti Lions Club. He was a confident Democrat. Helmer served three terms as Hamlin County Commissioner from 1969 to 1981. Helmer will be remembered for his ability to converse with everyone. He was a loyal neighbor and friend and his entire family depended on him, respected him, and enjoyed him because of his amazing stories, calm nature, common sense, strong and gentle hands, self sufficiency, generosity, and his sense of hope. His hobbies were fishing with Rena, bowling, hunting ducks, pheasants, and geese, playing pinochle and bingo and enjoying a good meal, a cup of coffee and conversation with others. Helmer is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Deanna Olsen of Hayti, SD and his daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Loren Solberg of Grand Rapids, MN; eight grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and five great, great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rena and twin sons; his parents; three brothers: Roy, Lawrence, and E. Peter; four sisters: Mabel Olsen, Lillie Melsby, L. Sadie Walder, and Eunice Bunde.

Helmer G. Olsen
May 09 2009

Funeral services for Helmer G. Olsen, age 99, of Hayti, SD will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 in the Hayti Lutheran Church, Hayti. Rev. Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. Music will be provided by Helen Prouty, organist with congregational singing. Helmer passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the care center in Lake Norden, SD. He was proud to call Hayti his hometown even when he resided in Watertown and Lake Norden the past few years.

Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Hayti. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: David Olsen, Daniel Olsen, Donalynn Olsen, Dawn Brandt, Sean Solberg, John Solberg, Previn Solberg, Kjirstin Ringold, and also Terry Brandt.

Visitation will be in the Crawford Funeral Chapel, Hayti, on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. and in the church on Tuesday prior to services.

Memorials may be directed to the Hayti Lutheran Church or The Pleasant View Cemetery.

Helmer was born, the youngest of eight children, on May 19, 1909 to Hans Christ and Gertrude (Tarum) Olsen in Hayti, SD. He attended rural school north of Hayti and continued his education by reading every day and experiencing life to its fullest. At an early age he began farming with his father.

On December 8, 1937 Helmer married Rena (Hansen) in Watertown, SD. The couple had one son, Dale and one daughter, Joan. They operated their farm together until they moved to their retirement home nearby. Rena passed away in 1985.

Helmer was a life-long member of Hayti Lutheran Church, active in the Farmers Union, the Pleasant View Cemetery Association, and the Hayti Lions Club. He was a confident Democrat. Helmer served three terms as Hamlin County Commissioner from 1969 to 1981. Helmer will be remembered for his ability to converse with everyone. He was a loyal neighbor and friend and his entire family depended on him, respected him, and enjoyed him because of his amazing stories, calm nature, common sense, strong and gentle hands, self sufficiency, generosity, and his sense of hope. His hobbies were fishing with Rena, bowling, hunting ducks, pheasants, and geese, playing pinochle and bingo and enjoying a good meal, a cup of coffee and conversation with others.

Helmer is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Deanna Olsen of Hayti, SD and his daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Loren Solberg of Grand Rapids, MN; eight grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and five great, great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rena and twin sons; his parents; three brothers: Roy, Lawrence, and E. Peter; four sisters: Mabel Olsen, Lillie Melsby, L. Sadie Walder, and Eunice Bunde.

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