Myron Helleck, 84, of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was called to heaven Wednesday, Feb. 26 while he and his wife, Marilyn were wintering near McAllen, Texas. He loved the warm temperatures, so to avoid the cold, the two of them spent the past 15 winters at Holiday Village in Pharr, Texas.

Myron was the fourth of nine children raised by Almar and Mildred Helleck. He was born Feb. 3, 1930, at home on the farm his great grandfather homesteaded in Freeborn County and where Marcia, one of his daughters, now lives.

He grew up to be a tall, handsome, dark haired charmer with a wide smile and sparkling eyes. He married Marilyn Parr, his high school sweetheart on Aug. 20, 1950, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Parsonage in Blooming Prairie. Myron was baptized, confirmed and married at this same church. He loved his church and served in many ways including as Council President. His hobbies included playing cards, golfing, fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends. He worked at the Hormel Foods plant for 25 years before retiring, then worked part time for Central Coop. He loved visiting with fellow farmers about crops and weather.

Myron and Marilyn had five children, Marcine Nelson of Coon Valley, Wis.; Marcia Wiese of Blooming Prairie; Mark Helleck (deceased), Michelle (Phil) Carlson of Lakeville; and Marsue Anderson of Minneapolis. He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Tracy (Matt) Stellner, Troy (Lindsay) Nelson; all of Coon Valley, Molly Wiese of Blooming Prairie, Matt Wiese of Austin; Josh (Jessie) Carlson of Roseville; Stephanie Carlson of St. Paul; Seth (Candice) Helleck of Louisiana, Jacob Anderson of Minneapolis, and 11 great-grandchildren, Emily and Zachary Wiese, Macy and McKenzie Stellner, Livvy, Griffin, and Jaxon Nelson, Lillyan and Izzabelle Wiese, Liberty Helleck, and Reece Carlson.

He is preceded in death by his son, Mark, sister Arlene Larson, brother Tom Helleck, and son-in-laws Dave Wiese and Terry Nelson. He is survived by his sisters, Hazel Egtvedt, Dorothy Kittelson, Lorraine Eddie, Connie Sedergren , Cheryl  Larsen and brother, Dave Helleck, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Condolences may be expressed to Myron’s family before the service from 9 a.m. Honorariums may be sent to Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church.