Joan Ruth Helland, 82, passed away Friday morning, June 7, 2019 at Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow, Montana surrounded by friends and family members.
Joan was born in Kensington, Minnesota, February 5, 1937, to Waldo J. and Eleanor (Larson) Wetterling. She was the oldest of four children. The family moved to Glasgow in 1945 to farm for Henry Osterberg, and Waldo later bought some land in the Milk River Valley between Glasgow and Nashua. Joan’s mother, Eleanor, was a long-time elementary school teacher in Valley County.
Joan graduated from Glasgow High School and married Ronald Blikken Helland on January 22, 1955. She was a homemaker for the first 15 years of their marriage, raising seven kids along with providing room and board for workers at the Air Force Base (now St. Marie) for a few of those years. When her seventh child started kindergarten, she began working alongside her husband at the Glasgow Courier and Courier Printing. In 1978, her husband Ron became the publisher/manager of the Glasgow Courier. Joan became the Publisher in 1988 after Ron passed away, and she left that position in 1993. She then worked at the Glasgow City Office until 2006. After retirement from her City Office job she had a part-time position at the First Lutheran Church as secretary.
Joan served on several boards and organizations: First Lutheran Church Council, Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Valley County Republican Committee, FMDH Foundation, PEO, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and served her church on the altar committee and quilting group. She loved to play cards (bridge and whist being her top two games). Her first “bridge club” was started in 1958 and she continued to play bridge throughout her life. The last several years, she played bridge at least three times a week. She also enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s sporting events and preferred a baseball, basketball, or football game on TV while doing her needlework and reading. She hand-stitched beautiful pillowcases and dish cloths. She was lovingly referred to as “Grandma Joan” to many of her great nieces and nephews and her grandchildren’s friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son David Helland; brother John Wetterling; sons-in-law James Fewer and Tom Link; and sisters-in-law Carol Helland and Pearl Wetterling.
Joan is survived by two sons, James Helland and Tom (Lynette) Helland of Rapid City, South Dakota; four daughters, Karen Link of Billings, Montana; Beth (Harry) Knowlton of Solon Springs, Wisconsin; Stephanie (Monte) Eayrs, Fallon, Montana; and Jennifer Fewer of Glasgow, Montana; and 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Sharon Wetterling, Eugene, Oregon; brother, Charles Wetterling, Missoula, Montana; a brother-in-law, Frank Helland, Bozeman, Montana and numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends.
Services for Joan will be held at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, Saturday, June 22, at 11 am followed by a graveside service at the Highland Cemetery. Her memorial preferences would be First Lutheran Church, The Pioneer Museum, and Valley View Nursing Home. Condolences may be left at bellmorltuarymontana.com.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 22, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd Ave. No.
Glasgow , Montana 59230
Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Saturday June 22, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd Ave. No.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday June 22, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd Ave. No.
Glasgow , Montana 59230
Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Saturday June 22, 2019
First Lutheran Church
641 2nd Ave. No.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Peggy Sue Hickok says
I was thankful to have visited with Joan on Wednesday, June 5th, after supper in her VVH room. I met Joan’s sister, your Aunt, at the doorway and Joan’s baby brother. Your Mom’s eyes twinkled and we laughed as we talked about all you kids and 7 cousins from Carol and Frankie family. I told Joan that she and Carole made raising 7 kids, working at jobs, and volunteering in the community, look like a walk in the park! “But”, Joan said, “ It WAS hard!” Her sparkling eyes continued and she appeared to be at peace. I held her hand, kissed her on her forward, and told her good night with sweet dreams. I am so sorry for your loss of one of most awesomely awesomest Mom’s in the world. Bless your Hearts and may Joan RIP. 🙏💫🌈🌻
Nancy Hickok says
So sorry for your loss. Joan was such a kind, friendly person. I always enjoyed her warm smile and big heart whenever I saw her and visited with her. She will be greatly missed!!
Loving thoughts and prayers to Joan’s family!
God Bless
Connie F Johnson says
So thankful for your mom. I went up and visited with her when I was back this past month and she was always so thankful and full of wisdom. So love and appreciate the grace and love of our Heavenly Father she always shown with. Sorry for your loss but heaven gained a very special lady. Hugs and prayers. Hold tight to your memories.
MarshaMolstrom says
So lucky for me to know Joan through her sister Sharon!
I was introduced to Wist by Joan. There were good visits with Joan in Glasgow and in Eugene!
She was such a caring and giving person to everyone who knew her , and even to people she didn’t know!
She will be missed by all of us!!
Jill Myhre says
Thoughts and prayers to the Helland family. Fond childhood memories in Glasgow and appreciate the loving kind heart of Joan and her children
Carolyn Bachtold says
Sorry to hear about Joan’s death. She was such a nice lady. Thoughts and prayers for your family. Cherish the memories.
Rick and Bea Stellflug says
So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing! Jennifer and family, we are sorry for your loss! May God’s hands wrap comfort and peace around you all. Rest in Paradise, Joan!
Minnesota Whist Players says
Playing cards and visiting with Joan was always a highlight of our annual trek to Montana for the Whist Tournament. Joan will be greatly missed by the Minnesota Mafia!
MARLENE TOAVS says
MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO JENNIFER AND ALL OF JOAN’S WONDERFUL FAMILY; SHE WAS A WONDERFUL
PERSON I WAS PROUD TO CALL MY DEAR FRIEND. WE SPENT MANY WONDERFUL TIMES PLAYING BRIDGE
SHE WAS AN EXCELLENT PLAYER; WE ONCE WON A TOURNAMENT IN MALTA THANKS TO HER EXPERTISE!
KEEP ON PLAYING JOAN; WE WILL JOIN YOU SOME DAY!
Donna Dascher says
Have you ever met someone and you wanted to be just like them? That someone for me was Joan. She was the most loving mother and she loved all of her kid’s friends, well Karen’s friends anyway, I can’t speak for the rest, but I’m sure she liked us best! She always welcomed us in her home, most of the time it was girls, LOTS OF GIRLS!
I met the Helland family when I was in the 5th grade. At that time, I never knew of any families of more than 4 kids existed. Back then I didn’t wonder “How in the world could a mother raising so many children survive?” But after raising only two of my own, I realized that she was a Saint sent from God!
Joan had so many Friends! She had a way of making friends easily. She probably met most of her friends playing cards.
This is what her friends have said to describe her:
She was wonderful, a joy to be around, an angel on earth. She was amazing, sweet, beautiful, and a great neighbor. She was the nicest person, kind, dear, gentle and a wonderful mother. She had a great smile, she had a beautiful smile and she was an inspiration to me. She was the best, she was classy and a genuine treasure. She had a kind soul and a soft voice. She was one of a kind. She had an infectious laugh, was a great listener and a special friend. She loved playing cards and she was so much fun. She was a good person, a lovely person, a grande person! She was just the best! She had a great family and she will be missed dearly.
If we can be anything in this life, let’s be like Joan. She was definitely God’s angel on earth and now again in Heaven.
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon your fields. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palms of his hands.
You will be missed by many, Joan. We love you!!!!
Sharon Wetterling says
Joan was a beloved sister, mother and friend and I will miss her to the end of my days.