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Leonard J. Helwig, Sr., age 76, of Annandale died Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Annandale Care Center from complications of Alzheimer's.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 5, 2008 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Annandale with Fr. Victor Valencia officiating. Interment in St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery will be 2:30 p.m. September 6, 2008. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church with a prayer service 7 p.m. Thursday.

Leonard John Helwig, Sr. was born on November 12, 1931 in Waubay, SD to John Stanley and Leocadia Frances (Pischke) Helwig. He was a 1950 graduate of Webster High School and then served his Country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army as a Radio Operator stationed in Alaska. He married Kathryn 'Kay' Schmitt on January 29, 1953 at St. Otto Catholic Church, Webster, SD and in 1955 graduated from Northern State Teacher's College, Aberdeen, SD. He was a high school teacher & coach in Lily, SD and Browns Valley, MN before moving his family to Buffalo, MN in 1957. At Buffalo High School he taught Industrial Arts and coached track & field, girls cross-country and softball. In 1987 he retired and moved to Las Vegas for twelve years, returning back to Minnesota in 2002. Leonard enjoyed building & remodeling homes, hunting, fishing, horses, card playing, country music, and spending time with his family & friends. He was a member of St. Ignatius Church & Buffalo American Legion and former member of the Buffalo Lions Club & Minnesota Education Association.

Leonard is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Kathryn 'Kay' of Annandale; eight children, Cynthia (William) Piram of Annandale, Corinne (Kerwin) Stenzel of Minneapolis, Colleen (Brent) Belston of Columbia Falls, MT, Leonard Jr. (Linda) of Monticello, Daniel (Cheryl) of Rogers, Charles (Kristin) of Annandale, Janet (Kent) Peterson of Mondovi, WI, Cooper (Samantha) of Lusby, MD; brother, Harlan 'Bob' (Arlene) of Waubay, SD; sisters, Darlene Cavanaugh of Kent, WA, Anita Williams of Zimmerman; and 20 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Raymond & Kenneth; and sisters Luella Gutormson & Eleanor Gibson.

The pallbearers will be Jacob & Matthew Piram, Ted Stenzel, Clayton Cook, Sam Peterson & Alex Helwig. The honorary pallbearers will be Rachelle & Stefanie Piram, Malea & Jamie Stenzel, Bridget & Kristine Helwig, Elizabeth & Emily Helwig, Carmen Peterson, Katie & Cuyler Helwig, Cole, Caitlyn & Aidan Helwig. The St. Ignatius Guitar Group will provide the music for the service and the arrangements were entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care of Annandale.




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