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Nov. 18, 1941-Feb. 11, 2021
Donald Gene Helde, 79,
of Powers Lake, ND
passed away unexpected-
ly on Thursday, February
11, 2021 in Belle Fourche,
South Dakota. Springan
Stevenson Funeral Home
in Stanley, ND is assisting
the family. Friends may
sign the on-line register
and give their con-
dolences at www.springan
stevenson.com.
A Funeral Service for
Donald will be held at
12:00 PM on Thursday,
February 18, 2021 at the
Bethel Baptist Church in
Powers Lake, North Dako-
ta. Pastor Mike Fraun-
felter will officiate.
Donald will be laid to rest
at the Bethel Baptist
Cemetery in Powers Lake,
ND. Friends may call an
hour prior to services at
the Church.
The Funeral Service
will be broadcast, please
follow the link on
Donald's service informa-
tion on our website
www.springan
stevenson.com.
Due to Covid 19, we ask
that everyone adheres to
local and state require-
ments for social distanc-
ing.
Donald Gene Helde of
Powers Lake, ND was
born November 18, 1941.
Donald was born to Laura
Hopkins and Clifford
Helde. He had one brother
Robert Helde.
Donald graduated in
1960 from Powers Lake
High School. He enjoyed
archery and participated
in 4-H.
From 1964 to 1966 Don
served in the US Army
and was drafted to the
Vietnam War. He would
tell a story of going to
Kenmare and purchasing
a new car, but when he
got home he had received
his draft papers and took
the car right back to Ken-
mare.
Don served as a proud
soldier and would often
tell stories of his time in
Vietnam. Don was honor-
ably discharged in 1966.
He then returned to
Powers Lake and married
Loann Rose and they had
a son, Slade.
1972-1980 Donald was
married to Susan Niemi-
talo and had three chil-
dren, Matt, Crystal and
Shane. Don and Susan
spent their time in Lead,
SD where Don worked at
Homestake Mine as an
Underground Goldminer.
After the second injury at
the mine, Don left and re-
turned to North Dakota.
He enjoyed telling stories
of his time at the mine
and how many feet below
the earth he would have
to ride the elevator.
In 1986, Don moved to
the farm and camped out
in a small wood grainery
until moving to a small
trailer house.
Don then met his soul-
mate, Ruth. They began
their adventure on the
farm together and raised
sheep, cattle, pigs and a
variety of exotic critters.
Don would always fuss
when Ruth would find a
new critter she just had to
bring home, even though
Don was happy to see her
smile. Each Fall, Don and
Ruth would host a BBQ at
the farm. They would
spend the day visiting,
eating, playing cribbage
and pinochle.
In 2013 after the pass-
ing of Ruth, Don contin-
ued to build decks, fish,
embroidery and playing
cards at the Gold Dust
Casino in Deadwood, SD.
Donald was a very
proud grandpa. He would
never miss a chance to at-
tend a birthday party,
ballgame, or a good fish-
ing hole. He would wel-
come any chance to take a
photo with one of his pre-
cious babies. Don cher-
ished his grandchildren
and he would glow when-
ever one would stop to
see him.
Donald will be greatly
missed and is truly loved
by his 14 grandkids and
18 great-grandkids.
He is survived by his
children, Slade Helde,
Matt Helde, Crystal Helde
and Shane Helde and;
stepchildren, Jean Velo,
James Skalicky and J.D.
Skalicky.
He is preceded in death
by his parents, Clifford
and Laura and his beloved
wife, Ruth.