George Helmers

Sibley, IA        George Helmers, age 92 of Sibley, IA died on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.        Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5th at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, with Reverend Terry Simm officiating.        Family will gather at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley and travel to the Holman Township Cemetery for burial prior to the service. Military honor will be presented by the George E. Mudge American Legion Post No. 324 and William F. Allard VFW Post 7373.        Visitation will be Friday, November 4th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.      Memorials may be directed to: Sioux City Gospel Mission, 500 Bluff Street, Sioux City, IA 51103 or CRU (Jim & Amy Trewin missionaries) at CRU P.O. box 628222 Orlando, FL 32862-9841 George Albert Helmers was born on October 25, 1924, to Albert and Nella (Feldkamp) Helmers. He graduated from Sibley High School in 1942. He attended Iowa State University before serving in the U.S. Army in France, Belgium, and Germany during WWII. He served in General Patton’s 3rd Army as a Sgt. Major in the 60th Field Artillery Battalion and received various commendations. Following discharge, he served in the Reserve for three years. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. On January 13, 1945, he married Dolorys Attig in Mineral Wells, Texas. George was a grain and livestock farmer. He became a well-known judge of Shorthorn Cattle. He served on many agricultural organizations.      George was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir for 72 years. He was a township trustee for 68 years and on the Board of Education for 40 years. He was a member of Rotary for 62 years and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was named a Master Swine Producer in 1962 and an Iowa Master Farmer in 1980. He served on the Iowa State University Extension Board. After retirement, he became involved with farm management and appraisal.      He enjoyed music and in his youth sang with several quartets, including the “Hawkeye Four.” He participated in sports and athletics, especially baseball.      George is survived by his wife, Dolorys; children: Scott (Shirley) Helmers of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Cynthia (Brian) Kemp of Sibley, Rick (Samantha) Helmers of Scottsdale, Arizona, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, sister Rose (Fred) Van Loh of Sheldon, Iowa, brother Glenn (Helen) Helmers of Lincoln, Nebraska, and sister-in-law Dorothy Helmers of Boerne, Texas.      He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clarence, Harold, and Roger, and infant daughters Margaret and Jeanne.