Mildred A. "Millie" Helmers, 71, Donnybrook, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in a Minot hospital. Her husband, Eddie Loren Helmers, 76, Donnybrook, died Sunday, May 27, 2012, in a Minot nursing home.
Mildred Ann "Millie" Teigen was born March 30, 1941, in Greene, to Olaf and Violet (Thompson) Teigen. She was raised in that area and attended country school through the eighth grade. She later moved with her family to Eckman.
Eddie Loren Helmers was born June 4, 1935, in Donnybrook, to Johnny and Alice (Hansen) Helmers. He was raised in Donnybrook and graduated from Donnybrook High School in 1953. He worked on the railroad for a short time and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. Following his honorable discharge he returned to the Donnybrook area, where he did carpentry work.
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Millie Teigen and Eddie Helmers were united in marriage on Feb. 3, 1961, in Minot. They lived in Donnybrook for 51 years and had four children: Rita, Loren, Terry and Gerry.
Millie was a homemaker and worked as a cook assistant at the Donnybrook School for a time. She loved gardening and raising flowers and plants in their greenhouse, but also enjoyed working outside in her flower beds and being with her husband Eddie. Millie fought a hard battle with cancer, but always had a smile on her face.
Eddie did carpentry work his entire life. He later worked at Ingerson Manufacturing in Kenmare for 18 years. Eddie and his son, Loren, did carpentry work, raised large gardens and operated a greenhouse. He enjoyed selling his produce at flea markets in the area. Eddie retired, but remained busy working in and around the house in the flower gardens with his wife, Millie, or cutting wood for their wood stove. Eddie entered Trinity Homes in Minot in March 2012.
Millie and Eddie were inseparable. They enjoyed sitting out in the yard, working in their gardens and watching sunsets together. They loved spending time with their family and loved their dog "Sweetie." They will be deeply missed. They were members of the Carpio Lutheran Church, Carpio.
Those who shared in their lives: daughter, Rita (Craig) Fred, of Maxbass; son, Gerry (Eileen) Helmers, of Kenmare; three grandchildren, Jessica (Gerald) Hanson, Carpio, Kelsey (Becky) Fred, Surrey, and Jacob (Jada) Fred, of Lincoln; seven great-grandchildren; Millie's brother, Alfred (JoAnn) Teigen of Nebraska and her sister-in-law, Betty Teigen, Lewistown, Idaho; Eddie's brothers, Lyle Helmers, Kenmare, and Darwin (Jeanne) Helmers, Minot; his sisters, Ethel (Gerald) Lawson, Donnybrook, and Darlene King, Akron, Ohio. Together they had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
They were preceded in death by their sons, Terry and Loren.
Millie was preceded in death by her parents, Olaf and Violet Teigen; brothers, Leroy and Marvy; sisters, Gloria Olson and Vivian Helgeson; brothers-in-law, Marvin Helgeson and Francis Olson.
Eddie was preceded in death by his wife, Millie; his parents, Johnny and Alice Helmers; brother and sister-in-law, Allen (LaVonne) Helmers; and sister-in-law, Margie Helmers.
Joint funerals: Monday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at the Carpio Lutheran Church, Carpio.
Joint burials: Monday, June 4, at 12:30 p.m. at the Grano Cemetery, Grano.
Visitation: Sunday, June 3, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare.
Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Millie and Eddie may access the online obituaries at (www.thompsonlarson.com).
