Gordon M. Helgeson

Hills, Minnesota Gordon Helgeson, age 90 of Luverne, MN, formerly of Beaver Creek, MN passed away peacefully with his family by his side, Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 29th at Palisades Lutheran Church near Garretson, SD, with Pastor Ray Heidenson and Pastor Tom Voigh officiating. Burial will follow at Beaver Creek Cemetery, in Beaver Creek, MN. Visitation will be Monday, May 28th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, MN. Gordon M. Helgeson was born January 5, 1922 in Minneota, MN the son of Helge K and Julia (Bakken) Helgeson. He loved playing baseball and was a pitcher for several area towns. He married Joyce (Kitty) Qualley on June 4, 1942. Shortly after, they moved to California and Gordon enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1942. After training at various bases, he flew overseas in June 1944 and served as nose gunner of a B-24 Bomber. He was credited with shooting down a Jap Zero on Christmas Day 1944. After 18 months of overseas duty, he returned to the States and was discharged in November 1945. Upon his return he and Kitty farmed near Taunton, MN and moved to the Beaver Creek area in 1948 where they farmed until retirement. During this time he was a member of the HBC School Board and served as chairman for several years. After retirement he had a small herd of Black Angus cattle to keep busy. He also enjoyed playing golf. In May 2006 he entered the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was a long time member of the Palisade Lutheran Church, and a lifetime member of several service and local organizations including the Rock County VFW Post No. 2757, Dell Hogan American Legion Post No. 123 of Luverne, Luverne Eagles Club and the Luverne Country Club. An avid pool player, one of his proudest achievements was organizing an annual Father/Son pool tournament. Held every February for 20 years, he raised over $20,000 that was donated to several local community charities. He was also an extremely proud veteran and he and Kitty organized the Memorial Day service in Beaver Creek for many years. He also organized the 494th Bomber Group Reunion in 1972 which continues to this day. Helge is survived by his wife, Kitty; three children, Vicki (David) Nelson of Commerce City, CO; Gary (Maureen) Helgeson of Beaver Creek; and Joni Worm (Don Sorby) of St. Cloud, MN; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, seven sisters, one son-in-law and one grandson.