Stanley Helland

Stanley Alfred Helland, age 97, of Siren, died at the Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg, WI., on Dec 1st, 2013. Stanley was born on March 22, 1916, in Daniels township to Ole and Gurina Helland. He attended school in Siren. After graduating from high school, he worked on his family’s farm. He also worked part-time for his brother, Andrew, at his service station in Siren. In 1939, he married Violette Anderson and worked in her family’s grocery store-Anderson’s Clover Farm Store-in Siren. He and Violette worked together for forty years in that store. To this union, three sons were born, James, Gary, and Mikal. During those forty years, Stanley enlisted in the Navy for 2-1/2 years serving on the destroyer, USS Fanning. He remembered the day General Eisenhower visited an aircraft carrier nearby. Several ships, including the USS Fanning were sent to protect the carrier. The church was always a big part of Stanley’s life. He and Violette attended the First Baptist Church of Falun. For fifty years, he was active in the Gideon International Organization, serving as president of the local chapter for several years. He was one of the first members of the Siren Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief for several years in the 50’s and 60’s. Two years ago, he received an accommodation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his 66 year membership of their organization. He was always proud to show everyone his award. He was on the Siren School Board for 15 years. For many years, Stan and Vi would go once a week to minister to the inmates at the Burnett County Jail. Both Stan and Vi loved to entertain. Guests never left their house hungry; the coffee was always on. Stanley was preceded in death by his loving wife, Violette, his parents, Ole and Gurina, brothers Andrew, sisters Lillian Helland, Bertha Parker, Esther Fallstrom, and son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Debbie. Stanley is survived by his sons, James,(Kathy)of Webster, Mikal, of Siren, 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, friends, and a special friend and secretary, Sally Craven. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec 7th, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Falun with Pastor Krause officiating. There will be a reviewal at Swedberg-Taylor Siren Chapel on Friday, Dec. 6th, from 4 to 7 p.m, and again, one hour before the service. Music will be provided by Karen Miller and Dave and Carol Ahlquist. Casket bearers are Mark Mossman, Mitchell Mossman, Kirk Staggert, Theo Staggert, Bob Blackwood, Allen Wojcik, and Tyler Ray. Memorials are entrusted to The Gideons International. Interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery at Mudhen Lake, Daniels Township. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences can be made to swedberg-taylor.com.