George Adam Helle, son of Frederick & Catherine (Krauser), was born 27 October 1873 on the Helle homestead NW of Smithfield, Fulton Co IL. He died 23 November 1943 in Freeport, Stephenson Co IL.
His son Joe told about the lives of his parents: "When Dad was a youngster, Grandfather Helle got involved with a thick and thin sawmill. When the regular sawyer failed to show up for work, Dad tried his hand at sawing and was never able to let go again. Somewhere Dad also found a fiddle and this too he could not let go of. Not a violinist, he could not read music, but in his youth his musical talent was a main source of income earned at barn dances. Somewhere about that period in his life he became enamored with a girl from the Buckeye country and life was never the same again. His carefree days were behind him. Sawmills, threshing machines and this Buckeye girl were his life from then on. Their first home was a small house in Smithfield. With three boys in a few short years, they moved to a larger home across the street. Then five boys an a move to a farm in the country to hold the growing family. Next a girl, then what? Five more boys. With a reputation far and wide then, yes, two more girls for a total of 13. Sawmilling, farming, threshing. A disastrous detour into a coal mining project. There were many set- backs common to us all. The older sister and many of the older sons were establishing homes of their own when Dad and the younger boys gave up farming and headed back to the tall timber where they were more at home. At this time, if you listen, you can hear the whine of a chain saw or the deeper voice of a circular saw and know those Helle boys have not found their way out of the woods"
Ida was born 19 October 1878 Cuba, Fulton Co., IL and died 17 December 1971, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL where she had been living with her daughter, Charlotte Helle Osborn) Ida descends from the Mayflower, a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden. Many of the descendants of George and Ida belong to the Mayflower Society and the John and Priscilla Alden Society, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Children of George and Ida:
Lloyd Charles Helle 10 Jan 1903 - 17 Feb 1983
George Adam Helle and Ida Lodema Kaler were married 1 September 1901 in Fulton County IL. Both are buried in Fulton County in Sinnett Chapel Cemetery.
Royle George Helle 23 Feb 1904 - 26 Sep 1979
Joseph Arlie Helle 08 Jan 1906 -
Delbert Vernon Helle 24 Mar 1907 - 15 Aug 1990
Donald Lee Helle 30 Sep 1908 - 18 Jul 1961
Bertha Ethel Helle 24 Feb 1910 -
Walter Helle 20 Jun 1912 -
Sheldon Lyle Helle 25 Nov 1913 -
Verle Burdette Helle 26 May 1917 - 31 Aug 1980
Harley Eugene Helle 18 Jul 1918 -
Gail Helle 23 Jun 1920 - 10 Jun 1982
Charlotte Helle 20 Dec 1921 - 02 Jun 1988
Nellie June Helle 04 Jun 1924 - 25 Aug 1932
Lloyd, like most boys, worked when there was work to be done, which was mot of the time. Work back then was farm work, wood cutting and sawmilling.
On Sunday afternoons the neighborhood boys gathered to talk, play ball, tell stories and lift iron weights. Lloyd was the champion. Lloyd's wife's name was Opal. They lived in Ellisville on the Spoon River. THey had 4 children - Richard Lloyd, NEva Marjorie, David Joseph and Barbara Lou.
Royle was very special. He began to write poetic letters to the sister of his daughter-in-law, after discovering they both liked poetry. The letters are beautiful, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and they all end abruptly. I asked my dear uncle why they ended so abruptly, and he said, she had died suddenly of a heart attack. Knowing that, the book is even more special. He published the little booklet of their letters in her memory. They had never met in person, only by letters. Royle Helle performed for the Cancer Society in Savanna, IL, with his two granddaughters. Royle could play every musical instrument ever made. He taught his children, and they had a Helle Band until the death of his daughter Joyce took the spirit out of it. He later taught his two granddaughters to play the saw, as he had mastered it. Royle was the only person to ever play the saw (an old handsaw) with two bows. It sounded like a violin. With two bows, he got a magical quallity of an old saw that has never been equaled.
Memories - by granddaughter Crystal: "I have many fond memories growing up in the big Helle clan. We would go to the family reunions every year & many times Uncle Verle was there with his old rumble seat to give rides. We had such good times with all the cousins, there was never a doubt we all where from the same close tight family & the bond was held Tightly by the head Grandma Helle. We had the luxury of having her live with us. It was a privilege as she was such a great lady. I shared a room with Grandma as a teen & you know it didn't bother me a bit. I truly miss her & will always remember the night she passed. The nurses said she was in a coma & couldn't hear me. I told her I loved her & she squeezed my hand. I knew then they where wrong. I'm sorry I never got to know Grandpa Helle as Mom has told us so many stories about "Pop".
Charlotte wrote: "I remember my childhood on the farm. Thirteen of us kids, Mom and Pop, and my maternal grandmother. We all lived, crowded but happy. Mom and Pop must have had cast iron nerves. My younger sister,four or five brothers and I would chase around and around that long dining room table whoop and hollering playing a game we called Bear Round the Table. Mom never got over Junes death. I don't believe Pop ever did either. I guess even after 12 kids, the baby of any family has a special place in peoples hearts. And June was special."
All of the Grandchildren remember the love and special feeling Grandma Ida Helle had for them. All agree with cousin Margail: "Grandma greeted me with hugs and kisses as if I was the only grandchild she had. She had a way of making each child feel like he or she was "the special one."
Granddaughter Sharon: "Grandma had a way with children that was very rare. When Danny was an infant, he was very sickly and cried steady. One night after he had been crying for over an hour, I had been walking the floor with him,but there was no comforting him. Grandma came out in her wheel chair, pushed by her nurse. She said, "give me that baby." I handed Danny to her, and I will never forget what happened. He was only a couple months old, but he looked up at her, smiled, buried his face in her arms and went to sleep. It was absolutely unbelievable; the love between Grandma and all of the children."
Ida lived with her daughter Charlotte in Savanna, IL until her death at he age of 93. She never lacked for company, with some of her family always visiting. Being a religious lady, Ida wouldn't touch a drop of alcohol, not even when the doctor prescribed a sip of wine daily for blood circulation at the last.
On Ida's 90th birthday, she was interviewed for a feature story in the Savanna, IL newspaper. "Ida recalls the year over 80 years ago, when as a little girl she drank cistern water rather than go to the well. She suffered typhoid fever as a result, and this caused her to lose her heavy head of long black straight hair, of which she was very proud. It grew back, but his time it was curly. Ida played the piano as a young woman and grew to love good music. She especially remembers a popular song of the day, "Ida", which her future husband, George Helle sang to her quite often during their courtship. Ida's best friend was Bertha Helle (George's sister). Both had many male admirers and eventually they became known as "The Buckeye Beauties," the name Buckeye coming from the community in which they were reared."
Ethel wrote: "Mom never lost interest in any of us, nor any of us in her, right up to the last. Mom told of small pox breaking out in Smithfield where they were living before I was born. Knowing my father's brother, Fred had an empty house in the country; she contacted him. He sent wagons, after her, the children and the furniture. Dad came home that night to find a note on the door telling him where they all were. Mom managed to miss the small pox epidemic that had left many dead in Smithfield. This one story describes Mom. She never hesitated to act when any occasion came up that concerned any of us. Mom was always there."
Joe was born at Smithfield IL. In 1930 he married Myrtle Bolan but they had no children. She die din 1965 after a long illness. Later he married Henrietta Jackson who had two sons by a previous marriage. Joe's heart was always in farming. He bought a considerable amount of land around Smithfield in Spoon River Country. He later moved to Cuba IL.
Delbert was always into electronics. He has invented the Helle Sawmill Hydraulics. He married Nellie A. Hays in March of 1931.
He and Nellie had 8 children - Gordon Wayne, Lawrence James, Maurice Carl, Adajune, Joanne Kathlene, Phyllis Fern, Verle Edwin and Dwight Everal.
Delbert was in business with Walter and Sheldon at Hanover IL for a year - then he moved to Farmington.
Delbert wrote this poem which was published in Sheldon Helles' book - "As I Remember my Family - a way of life in the 20th Century
God and Nature put me here to do a job not all could do
I was created to carry off surplus water and to Drain your land,
...... As a home for fish,
........... to provide Lakes and wet lands for wild fowl, frogs and other aquatic life.
I had pure water.....
for all wildlife, including people to drink.
Then People used me....
far beyond my Normal Duty.
You Dammed my Channel....
and hampered my work.
You drained my Low lands & Lakes....
and unloaded your wastes into my water.
You poisened my waters....once so pure.
My fish are no longer abundant....
or good for food.
You built homes and factories....
"ON MY BANKS!"
These were mine...
they belong to Me....
I will claim them as mine
I will come back....
Again...
and again......
and again....
You are trespassing on my property!
I will never give you full rights!
It belongs to me.....
It is mine.......
I have spoken....
Don was always interested in hunting. He kept fox hounds and was also great with guns. Don's first marriage was to Geraldine McCluen which ended in divorce. Don received custody of their son Charles Lee. In 1940 Don
married Hallie Jean Underwood - they have six children; Marilyn, Kenneth, Terry, James, Donna and Beverly.
Don operated a sawmill and chain saw sales near Princeton IL until he sold it and became associated with Gail and Verle who owned and operated Helle Hardwoods at Oregon IL.
Don was killed when the boom of a logging crane touched a high voltage electric power line.
The crane operator was careless. He was a big man, well over 300 pounds at the time of his death. Jean remarried a few years later to Jay Still.
Ethel was the first girl in the family. Ethel was chosen as the most beautiful baby at the Cuba IL Home Coming Celebration. She was about 1 year old and received a blue ribbon. Ethel married Don Walton, Canton IL on June 2, 1928. They had two sons - Robert and Ray.
Years later they moved to Whitewater Wisconsin, involved in developing farm land for a Mobile Home Park. They sold the park & traveled awhile.
Ethel has been written about far and wide as "The Grandmother who gives away stuffed animals.".. She even received a small thanks from Jimmy Carter.
He was married 13 August 1932 to Miss Alice Frona Williams who was born 13 February 1912 in Princeton IL. She died 21 Jul 1925 in Savanna, Carroll County IL.
Alice, Walter and their son Burnette are all buried at the Savanna City Cemetery.
1. Burnett Walter Helle 2. Janice Helle married Ken Mills
3. Vernon Helle married Delores
4. Stanley Helle married Lorraine
5. Joseph Helle married Pat
(Walter, Alice, Janice & Vernon in photo)
Gail Helle:
Sheldon Helle:
In his book, Walt tells of becoming ill at the age of thirteen: "I had a severe case of acute Brights Disease. The doctor told my mother to put meto bed and give me all the water I could drink with no food of any kind. My headache continued and my little brother, Gail, faithfully brought me water with tears in his eyes, fearing that I would die if I did not drink lots of it."
Frederick Helle & Katherine Krauser, 1985, by Alice Riley:
Shawn Lovejoy said:
Lee Helle:
Walt tells about his courtship with Alice:
Gail Helle added - In his writings about his life, Walter told of losing Burnette, his son : "While living in Galesburg and after having doctored with a specialist for a year, we lost our little Burnett to lobar pneumonia on March 6, 1937 at the age of seventeen months and six days. It was with a sad heart that we gave this little fellow back to the Lord. With his loving eyes and face he would lay his head on my chest in complete happiness and contentment. Istill grieve his loss anytime a memory opens up and reveals his little life to me. Oh, how hard it is to lose a little baby."
Walter & Alice's only daughter, Janice "Jan" Helle Law Mills, b. 29 Dec 1937 died 28 Mar 2005 in Eureka, Arkansas, following a long battle with brain cancer. The following are writings about Janice:
In his writings of Memories of his Life, Walt writes about his daughter, Janice: "After losing little Burnett, Alice was so heartbroken that she did not want to have another child, but I told her to get one for me. Our first an only little girl was born about eleven months after we lost Burnette. She was truely a gift from Heaven. Janice was so healthy. She weighed six pounds at birth and was seventeen inches long, with lots of dark hair. She was truly a Godsend to both of us. After losing our first baby, we never named any of our children until after they were born. Janice is still my little sweetheart and I still sit her on my lap and remind her that she is still my little girl."
Janice was diagnosed just before Christmas of 2003 with a malignant brain tumor. She underwent brain surgery and received treatment at Iowa City Hospital, and in Arkansas where she and her husband live. Janice had such a lovely spirit, and never complained, but looked at the positive side of having a little longer to live with these treatments.
Janice is a member of the John and Priscilla Alden Society, Mayflower Society and Daughters of the American Revolution. She has been very active in researching genealogy, and helpful getting others the information on how to persue membership in these orgainizations.
And we'd have finished each, of course,
We'd have given love and shown the smiles,
We can't take it with us, you know.
DONALD LEE HELLE 
Walter Frederick Helle, son of George Adam Helle and Ida Lodema Kaler, was born
20 June 1912 in Cuba, Fulton Co IL. He died 18 April 2000 in Savanna, Carroll County IL.
The children of Alice and Walter are -
30 September 1935 Galena IL - 6 March 1937 in Galesburg IL.
"Walter has spent most of his adult life in the lumber business and most of these years working together with his brother Sheldon. Walter would never swear, even as a child, when his schoolmates would twist his arms trying to force him to swear. Sheldon did the swearing for both of them."
"When sister Ethel came down with the measles and Mom had to go help take care of her. Walt was elected cook. It took a lot of beans for fifteen people, so Walt, not knowing beans would swell to 2to 3 times their normal size when cooked, put on to cook what he thought would be enough. We sure had a lot of beans; about every spare kettle was full. Walter rearranged Mom's kitchen like our bachelor neighbor with all the utensils hanging on the wall. When Mom got home she sure put her kitchen back like it was in a hurry."
"Walter Helle was named William Frederick. However, when people started calling him Billy, Ida, who hated nicknames, started calling him Frederick. Soon he was being called Freddie, so she changed his name to Walter thinking no one could make a nickname out of that. Walter knew nothing about this until 1960 when he needed a birth certificate. He learned that the only son born to George and Ida Helle on 20 June 1912 was William Frederick Helle. Ida told Walter what had happened. He had the name changed on his birth certificate to just Walter Helle."
"Walt, was always the statesman, with his voice and presence he should have either been a minister or in Politics. He had such a commanding presence whenever he entered a room and always with a story of the old days."
"A true story that has been passed down about Walt, is the time they using a small Cat to drag logs across part of a frozen river. The catbroke through the ice and sunk out of sight. Walter was there standing beside this hole in the ice and he kept repeating these words (Believe You, Me) the closest anyone had ever heard him cuss.
Note - This was back in the early 30s, Cats that were used then, could to day be hauled in a 3/4 ton pickup. My uncles got that Cat out of the river, by dismantling it in the water and carrying it one peice at a time to shore. This is Winter Time! but that Cat was their lively hood. I had Tough Uncles!"
"On May 8 (1932), which was Mother's day that year, I had become engaged to marry Alice Williams of Tampico. We had a date once every three weeks and we wrote love letters back and forth. As we were officially ready for marriage, Alice came to visit a few times while we lived in Wyoming. We were both very shy and had never dated anyone else. We anxiously awaited the day that we could marry and live together as husband and wife.......So with $27.00 in my pocket and my brother Don's model A Ford, I drove to New Bedford, Illinois, which was 60 miles away, where Alice was staying with her sister, Edith Allen. Alice readily consented to being married that very day. We paid $3.00 for a marriage license in Toulon and my bother Don and my mother stood up with us at a parsonage across thestreet. Only 15 minutes later we walked out as man and wife. We never really had enough time together to know how wonderful our life would be or how much we really loved each other. On Monday morning I began the new job and shared a home with my sister, Ethel and her husband, Don Walton. We purchased a $5.00 cook stove, a homemade table, used chairs for fifty cents and a new Sears bed which cost about $20.00. We set up housekeeping and were very happy appreciating each other and what little we had. In 1932, when I started out, our country was in the heart of the great depression. We were all poor people, but we were happy and very contented. We had to move often and never dreamed of owning our own home."
"Walter found Alice Frona Williams in our tomato patch. They were married when they were twenty years old."
It would be absent of all toil and strife.
Accomplishing more that we could have done,
For many more things we'd have begun.
With little acclaim, we'd have been a force,
Taken every hitch in the road, in stride,
And kept the anguish deep inside.
Than carried over years and miles.
Above it all, each woman and man,
Would have been much more like Jan.
What we reap is dependant upon what we sew.
When the light has burned out, it will leave a warm glow,
As we each remember the Jan we all know.
----------------One of the many who love her, - Mo
Jan is such a special person. I am sure there will be a special place in heaven for her. I am sure she will be waiting for all of her special cousins who love her very much. I also believe there are many people who love her very much in heaven and will welcome her with delight. - Linda
Well, the call came....Janice passed away at 9 pm tonight .. Ken and Julie were at her side.. She looked at them and smiled and took a deep breath and was gone.. This is from Barbara Lou, who of course was the first one Julie called...I am saddened to lose this wonderful cousin.. and relieved that her pain and suffering are over and she has gone on to a better place...This is something I do believe... - Carol
As I set here thinking of the good people of the world her name comes up first. Our loss is the lords gain. The smile and the wonderful way she treated everyone my last cousins runion I hold dear. Verle
Sheldon married Hazel Nelle Hendrick
on May 11, 1935. She was born 19 Jul 1914 in Wyoming, IL, and died 15 July 1989 in Savanna, Carroll County, IL.
In 1935, Sheldon and two of his 9 brothers, Delbert and Walter operated a Sawmill in Galena, moving it to Dubuque, Iowa in 1940. Sheldon and Walter operated a sawmill "Savanna Wood Products" in Savanna, IL from 1940-1986.
Sheldon once wrote: "I was a lively kid and got into more than my share of troubles... too many to relate here. However, an example of my first swimming lesson, I was fishing off of the end of a homemade diving board and fell asleep. Wakened when I landed in the water, my choice was clear and I swam."
Brother Gail Helle wrote about Sheldon: "We had to watch Sheldon because if we were discussing changes or about doing something, we had to talk low or Sheldon would have it done before we even knew if we had a good idea. All in all, I have really enjoyed my relationship with Sheldon and Walt from all the years I have worked with them. What a privilege it has been to work with and be with these two guys. It has been fun."
Sheldon and Hazel had four children.
Lyle, Louise, Harley and Lorraine, all born in Savanna, IL.
Daughter Lorraine wrote abut her father: " When growing up, I had fourteen uncles. Quite an honor I felt, and I had my favorites but never in a lifetime have I ever wished for any father other than my own dear "Popper." I know him well, his virtues and his faults. I suppose my mother has put up with him because his virtues outweigh his faults. though sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. He was a progressive thinker - usually ahead of his time. He has really contributed to this town: with school boards, land developing, pallet factory, city council, etc. I am so proud of him. As a little child the neighbor girls and I decided Dad would make a good president of the U.S. We weren't at all naive. I remember him spanking me once when I was four years old - that was probably the first and last time. Spankings weren't needed. He would poke my shoulder with his finger and that was worse than any spanking. I hated it. Dad is a notorious joke teller. He remembers them all and tells them well -a real artist. He could take every child in the neighborhood and stretch their wrist and convince them the bones come apart. He'd stick his finger through a hole in the bottom of a match stick box - pour ketchup around the finger and show it to the children. His poor cut-off finger, Yuk!! He took us all over the United States on vacations. He's a historical nut. It's hard to argue with someone who knows his facts, but I still love to debate with him and Uncle Don Walton. Dad taught us to appreciate this beautiful country."
Daughter Louise: "One of the most vivid memories is of Dad in his striped overalls. I do mean bib-overalls! Well, it was our opinion that a proper business gentleman should not wear striped overalls to the office. It took quite some time, but we eventually convinced him. I think it only took 10 or 15 years. Dad has a reputation for walking fast. Mother has a reputation for walking slow. We often joke and say that mother has two speeds, slow and stop. Dad would park the car, get out, shut his car door, scurry down the street with we children straggling somewhere in between, and buy the tickets while Mother was still opening her door. Dad and Uncle Walter were so close that it was always stated that when one itched the other scratched. Well, we know which one did the scratching! We also know which brother did the cussing for the other brother, who never swore beyond an occasional "...believe me. Mother and Dad have lived an interesting existence. They have had a unique and special fifty years together.
Mo Helle's memories of the family - An impromptu trip by Lyle, David and myself resulted in a few days excursion to Arkansas, the south and eventually the nations's capital. In the days spent together we enjoyed great fellowship, much laughter and good times. It was, for me, a comradeship I knew then has not been equalled to this day. Though we shared many travels and great weekends together, this trip had special meaning. For unknown to myself and Dave, it was to be our last together. Lyle was aware that he must soon relinquish the freedom necessary for such spontaneity and address himself to the responsiblity of marriage and parenthood. He did not inform us until the trip was nearly concluded. The lesson I deemed appropriate from this was to use Lyle's attitude as an example. In later years when there were times I felt reasons to be out of sorts or of a mind to rain on someone elses parade or burden someone with my problems, I remember how Lyle had chosen to display that positive, joyful spirit in order to share good times with those he cared about. When the festivities were over, there is a proper time to seriously accept responsibility; and just as there is a time to rejoice and enjoy the friendship of others. Looking back, I have always been thankful that I had such a friend who, at such a young age, knew there was a proper time and place for everything.
Sheldon Lyle Helle, son of George & Ida (Kaler) Helle, was born 25 November 1913 in Cuba, Fulton Co., IL. He died
26 January 1997 in Savanna, Carroll Co., IL.
Lyle was born 15 March 1936. He was the oldest child of Sheldon and Hazel. Lyle was killed in a tragic accident on the 7th of September 1956, between Mt. Carroll and Savanna, at the age of 20, right after he had married June Grimm of Savanna, IL. Lyle was driving a logging truck back to the Sawmill when the logs shifted going around a curve, rolled over and caught on fire. His cousin David Helle who was with him, survived the accident. Lyle's daughter was born after his death. He is buried in the Savanna City Cemetery.
Sharon's memories: "I was just a kid of 13 or so when this wonderful cousin came to visit and paid so much attention to me. I was used to having older cousins around, but they never noticed me much. Lyle was different. He asked me to draw pictures for him. He never came to visit without asking me to get out the Chinese checkers and he played a game with me, while the rest of the cousins waited for him to finish. Yes, Lyle was different. He was exceptional. What a wonderful father he would have made. He never knew an enemy. He loved people, young and old. He took time to speak to the elderly with real concern and interest. And everyone loved him too. At his funeral the people were standing for a block on the streets because the church was overflowing. The procession to the cemetery was so long, you couldn't see the end of it. Yes Lyle was full of love and everyone loved Lyle. He was such a special young man." What a terrible shame he never got to know his daughter and grandsons. He loved children so much and would have made a marvelous father.
Nephew Shawn Lovejoy: "My fondest memories include my Uncle Sheldon, I dont think he ever knew my real name, I was always "Mike" to him. I am sure you remember when I was a kid and everytime I saw him, it was Mike have you heard this joke yet... always a joke."
To clarify the above, for those who didn't know Sheldon and Walt, Walt never swore, and Sheldon did the swearing for both.
Sheldon served on the City Council in Savanna, and he and Walt donated the land for Helle Park in Savanna.
When Verle was about 17 he and a cousin who was visiting became very sick. The doctor pronounced it diptheria. This meant that the
house was quarantined. A couple of the older brothers - Sheldon and Gene "escaped" the house just before the sign was posted. Then they gargled with Listerine about 15 times a day to keep well themselves.
Verle served four years in the Army during WW II. On November 24, 1943 Verle married Willena Baker. They had one son Duane. Willena died of cancer in 1965 at the age of 44. In 1966 Verle married Dorothy Wisman, a widow with two children. Verle and dorothy moved to Florida for the warmer climate.
Gene joined the Navy Seabees in 1942. Gene was stationed in Hawaii as a crane operator.
In 1945 Gene was transferred to the Philippines. Gene lived in Oregon IL after the war and when his brother Verle was discharged they established Helle Lumber Co there. Later it was renamed Helle Hardwoods. Brother Gail was also associated with them from 1946 - 1950.
Gene married Maxine Heather - their children are Cheryl, Bradley, Patty, George ane Barry.
Gail married Bernice Barler his high school sweetheart. They have four children - Marigail, Linda, Sandra and Robert. Gail wen to the rural school at Cuba IL, then at Mineral, Geneseo, Bradford and Wyoming. He and his wife Bernice graduated from Wyoming High School. After the war Gail became associated with the plant at Oregon, with Verle and Gene - he then went to Midwest Emery Transportation for about 12 years. In 1963 Gaim became associated with Wood Products Inc. in Savanna. In 1971 he took over the management of the Monticello plant. Gail is a natural born salesman. In 1981 Gail organized one of the best family reunion ever had. It was held in Savanna at the pallet factory.
Gail wsa making arrangements for another reunion the following year. It was to be held on Sunday June 13, 1982. Gail died suddenly on June 10 of that year - so the family did get together - but it was not the joyous occassion it was suppose to be. Gail was buried on the 13th - the date set for the reunion.
Charlotte Helle, daughter of George & Ida (Kaler) Helle, was born
Harrison was born 8 December 1916 in IL, his death was in Michigan 11 October 2003.
Harrison worked on the Railroad in Savanna, IL, then later on he worked for Charlotte's brothers, Walt and Sheldon at the Sawmill in Savanna. After retiring, he worked as a Security Guard in Savanna. He and Charlotte owned and operated the Off the Highway Motel in Savanna, for many years.
Both are buried in the Savanna City Cemetery in Carroll County IL.
Charlotte and Harrison had four children: Carol, Sharon, Crystal and George.
Carols memories of Mom - What I remember most about Mom and Dad is that everyone was welcome at their house. You did not need to call ahead, just dropping in was good. They were always glad to see you and you would always get a meal. I remember when Mom fried chicken, and she knew how to fry chicken. Sheldon stopped by, Well of course Sheldon ate chicken till he could eat no more He went home and Hazel had baked chicken. He did not dare tell her he had eaten Mom's fired chicken, so he sat and ate. Of course he was having a hard time eating that baked chicken and Hazel knew someting was up Within a few days Mom asked Hazel if Sheldon had told her he had stopped by and had fried chicken with them. At any rate, Hazel was mad at Sheldon for a long time over that one. Mom and Dad had saved just enough money to buy building material to build their new house. So of course contractors were out. It was built by their grandsons. All teenagers at the time. This was overseen and supervised by Andy and of course he helped, but for the most part the grandchildren built the house over the course of a summer. This is a testament to how much the grandsons loved them and how much they loved thier grandkids. They are still missed today.
Sharons memories of Mom - What I recall vividly is our home in DeWitt, Iowa. Mom had a baby grand piano in the living room. She had a beautiful suprano voice and played the piano. Dad had a great tenor voice. They sang and played all the time. Mom could hit the high notes with crystal clarity. All of my sister Carol's friends loved Mom and Dad. One time a couple of boys went out drinking and came to our home late at night. Mom and Dad got out of bed, fed them black coffee until they were sober, then had them sing hymns at the piano with them in the middle of the night. I wouldn't be surprised if Mom and Dad had a lasting affect on many teenagers in DeWitt, Iowa. One thing that made Mom so very special was her philosophies on life. She would never argue with anyone. She said if it wasn't going to matter a year from now, it wasn't worth arguing about. She saw the good in everyone she met. She had no enemies and loved everyone. She had a great sense of humor and really enjoyed life. In her younger days, before the arthritis crippled her, she loved dancing. She and Dad would dance and dance. She never said no to a grandchild. They all adored her and would do anything for her.
Crystals Memories - Growing up with our parents was always a lot of fun they sang all the time & Mother played the piano & Dad the mouth harp, They where a fun loving couple. We took many trips & love was abundant. Mom & Dad were always full of fun. They sang & joked & raised us kids with a sense of humor and appreciation for each other. They were kind & loving parents. We were so very fortunate." My Mother made each of us kids feel special & she was a dear sweet lady everyone loved, Mom lost her best friend & Sister June & at an early age, I know she always missed her & would tell us stories of growing up in a large family.
From his daughter Carol - Anyone can tell you that Dad was a hard worker. That is just a fact. One time Dad was sharpening saws at the mill. He would lay on his back under the big saw blade and sharpen it. He was doing this one day at lunch time, because the saw did not have to be shut down if he did it while the men were at lunch. When lunch was over the men came back to work and as they left the lunch room, one of them flipped the switch to start the mill. The switch was right by the lunch room door. Dad lay there under the running saw blade until someone saw him and ran and shut it off. Needless to say, the switch was moved to a location where it would be turned on only by the sawyer. Dad had diarrhea for three days.
From his daughter Sharon - Dad came to live with me and my family in his last few years. I can honestly say, that I learned to love him even more, and saw the good in him that my mother had seen. He was a kind and gentle soul, who loved everyone. Right up to the last, before he died, he would sing little Irish jitties and arm wrestle with the kids. On Dad's 85th birhtday, Chris and all of his friends came to celebrate and give Dad a birthday party. Everyone loved him. He would quote the bible verse "In my fathers house are many Mansions," and this seemed to comfort him as his days on earth drew closer to an end. He was a deeply religious man, who had served as a Deacon in the Baptist Church. He also had been active in jail ministry, and had brought many lost souls to salvation. They used to write to him after. Dad saved their letters. Dad left behind many memories which are cherished by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as his nieces and nephews. One memory is of his super human strength. He never got beat in arm wrestling, as his nephews and grandsons remember well. He once lifted timbers that had his uncle trapped in a coal mine. Although his uncle couldn't move from under the timbers and Dad had to lower them back down on Uncle Harvey. Later it took 10 men to pry these same timbers up. He was a kind and loving man, who worked hard all of his life. He and Charlotte had a loving relationship that lasted within days of their 50th anniversary before she died. They enjoyed life and were dedicated parents and grandparents. He is greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him.
Ethel Helle Walton wrote in her book, "Memories of a Country Girl": "The first time I saw Harrison, Charlotte was dating him, and he had came to pick her up for a date. He had no idea who I was, as I had never seen him before. I went over to him and sat on his lap and started kissing and hugging him. It didn't take him long to figure out who I was. I was teasing Charlotte, pretending to be getting even with her for her crush on Don. We still have lots of fun teasing each other about loving each other's husbands, even though we are both great -grandmothers today."
Shawn' memory: "I remember when Granddad was raising rabbits and though tit would be nice to let us grand kids each pick out a rabbit as a pet. We all loved our rabbits. Then one day he came in with a huge knife and announced it is time to butcher the rabbits (our pet bunnies). I'll never forget how mad she got at him for coming in with that awful butcher knife and upsetting all the kids. To think back now, it's funny, but butcher knife time we were all crying and went to Grandma to stop him. The bunnies didn't get butchered that day.
Excerpts from Charlotte's story from "As Remember my Life": "I was named Miss Chicago by my older brothers, because I had a fiery temper, but I think I had to have so I wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. With ten older brothers, I think I nearly did anyway. I really was blessed. I grew up with my first years on a farm, the 12th child of George and Ida Kaler Helle. Above me were ten brothers and one sister. Tagging along the 13th was my sister June. We all write some. Many of us dabble in poetry. There's lots of music in the family. I remember my childhood on the farm. Thirteen of us kids, Mom and Pop and my maternal grandmother. Pop was German. Probably one of the most loving pops in the world. Thirteen of us, and he never spanked a one of us. Mom and Pop must have had cast iron nerves. We had a long dining room table. It had to be to seat 15 of us. My younger sister and four or five brothers and I used to play bear around the table. We chased around that table, whooping and hollering. It was a noisy game, but usually it tired us out to where we went right to sleep at bedtime. We always had a parlor. In this parlor was a piano. Winter nights, Mom played the piano, Pop the fiddle, most of us sang. My older brothers played their musical instruments. Delbert played the violin, Royle about any instrument.. Don played the fiddle. Walter played an accordion. Verle played the violin. Gail played a horn in the high school band. Very memorable childhoods, eating eggs by the dozens at Easter; homemade root beer; Pop trading lumber for sorghum; homemade clothes; hair put up on rags for curlers; going barefoot on the farm; milking cows; Dad on the threshing runs; big meals put on by women for the thresher crews; homemade ice- cream; listening to Joe Lewis prize fights on the car radio's with our brothers and friends; charivari when Don got married; the friends we made as we grew up and when we were in high school. Yes it has been a grand life and a great family."
Charlotte and Harrison knew how have fun and enjoy life. They sang all the time, and they loved to dance. Some of their songs were funny, and I think these are what their children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews enjoyed the most. Shawn recalls a memory: "What I remember most fondly is when they sang "Dreaming tonight of my Blue Eyes." Grandma Charlotte's part was to cry, in a comical way that had us all rolling on the floor."
June was the youngest - a near perfect child.
She died of Diptheria when 8 years of age.
The first death in a family is
always the hardest and when its a beloved child it it is devastating.
The family was shattered and would never be the same again.
June was blonde, blue-eyed and beautiful. The theme of her funeral was
"What would Heaven be like without little children?"
Logging on the Mississippi
The Twelfth
The Western Expedition
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20 December 1921 in Fulton Co IL. She died 2 June 1988 in Savanna, Carroll Co IL.
Her marriage to Harrison Elroy Osborn occurred on 10 June 1938 in Donaldson Iowa.
Written by Sheldon Helle
Written by Charlotte Helle Osborn
Written by Sheldon Helle in memory of his son Lyle Helle
The Helle Family in Fulton County IL
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