Brian N. Helland, 65

Published 10:01 am Friday, December 18, 2015

Brian N. Helland, 65, of Austin, Minnesota, died at his home on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015.

Brian N. Helland, 65

Brian was born on Sept. 30, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Gordon and Darlene (Johnson) Helland. After high school, he moved to Maryland in 1970 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in Patuxent River, Maryland. During his service he was an air crewman assigned to Patrol Squadron 30 of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In 1973, Brian married Cleo McDonell; they were married for 22 years. In 1976, he started his career as an electrical engineer and was a contractor for NASA, Goodard Space Center, Green Belt, Maryland. After retiring, he returned to live in Austin in 2004.

Brian was a member of the Austin Country Club and Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to mow his lawn as it was his escape from the everyday life. He liked to sit and look at his flag and the bridge over the back creek. He also liked to go fishing with his grandkids. However, golf was his true passion.

He was preceded in death by his father Gordon Helland; and his brother Bruce Helland.

Brian is survived by his sons: David (Beth) Helland, Rochester, Minnesota, Daniel Helland, Bryans Road, Maryland, and Benjamin (Dawn) Helland, Waldorf, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Mason Helland, Brody Helland, Brianna Helland, Alyssa Rabasco, Devon Helland, Jayla Helland and Zoey Helland; his mother Darlene Helland, Austin, Minnesota; sisters: Barbara (Jerry) Neubauer, Stewartville, Minnesota, and Beth Wood, Rochester, Minnesota; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Monday for one hour prior to the service. Casket bearers will be David Helland, Daniel Helland, Ben Helland, Tim Duren, Wade Neubauer, Tom Wood and Brad King. Memorials are preferred.