Harold V. Helwig, age 90, of Stone Lake, WI, died Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at The Villas at Maple Ridge in Spooner, WI.

Harold Vernon Helwig was born January 11, 1932, in Flint, MI, the son of Carl and Edith (Conway) Helwig.

He was separated from his father and brothers soon after and was reunited with his father and stepmother, Mary Catherine (Donnelly) Helwig in late 1937. The family moved to Mt Morris, MI where Hal graduated from high school in 1949. He was a member of his high school boxing team, a member of the 1947 golden glove team and went on to do some amateur boxing. Hal entered the service, auditioned and was accepted as a member of the Naval Reserve Orchestra and band. His unit was called to active duty in October 1950. Hal served during the Korean War at a Top-Secret Naval Air Station in the Philippines and aboard the aircraft carrier Sitkoh Bay.

He was married to Betty (Flamang) in May 1952 on a ten-day leave. Hal, Betty and their new son, Henry returned to WI from CA in August 1954 after the decommissioning of his ship. He enrolled at Superior State College in Superior, WI, graduated in 1959 and accepted a teaching position with the Hayward School System, where he taught for 8 years and then was appointed the Federal programs administrator in 1967. In 1962 Hal and Betty purchased Spruce Haven Resort on Sand Lake and since returning to WI he added four more children to his brood. In the mid-70s they owned "The White House" in Stone Lake, so the kids in town had a place to hang out and hopefully stay out of trouble. Throughout the years they fostered many children. After retirement from the school system, Hal became an insurance agent and securities dealer with Lutheran Brotherhood until 1995. He was an adjunct staff member for UW-Superior and Stevens Point, as well as Mt Scenario College and Wondros College, as administrator of the Teacher Corps program and also taught insurance education classes, supervised student teachers and taught Economics. Hal was elected to the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors in 1995, was elected as the chairman in 2000, which he served as until 2016. He was a charter member of the Stone Lake Lions Club, a Past District Governor of District 27 E, Past President of WI Lions Foundation and Past President of the District Governors Association. Hal served on many boards during his time on the county board, as well as local boards. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Keystone Lodge, Scottish Rite, Zor Shrine. A life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Lions International. Hal received many awards and accolades over the years. His most esteemed was receiving the Presidential Unit Citation from the Republic of Korea. Hal's last accomplishment was the founding of the Sand Lake Food Distribution, which serves more families in the community each week, in memory of his son, Ernie.

He has touched many people's lives in his 90 years, continuing to teach and impart words of wisdom along the way. Hal will be missed greatly by his family and by many, many friends.

He is survived by his wife Betty Jane Helwig; sons Henry (Barbara) von Helwig, Marc (Norma) Helwig & Ronald (Cheryl) Bildeau; daughters Luci Neefe &Terri (Chuck) Roeske; grandchildren Crystal Chance, Bryan Coddington, Shauna Schneider, Dani Bartle, Christopher Helwig & Amber Helwig; great grandchildren Brenna, Natalie, Riley, Ivey & Atticus (on the way); brother Howard; and many nephews & nieces.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; sons Robert & Ernie Helwig; brothers Carl & Earl Helwig.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Stone Lake. Pastor Ed Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner with military honors being accorded by the State of WI Military Honors Team. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 18th at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward and again from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Memorials preferred to Sand Lake Food Distribution Center, PO Box 39, Stone Lake, WI 54876

Last Update: Apr 10, 2022 4:38 pm CDT