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Clarence Helgeson, 81

Clarence Helgeson, 81, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 6, 2019, after many years of fighting the side effects of diabetes. He was born the sixth child to Harold and Minnie (Noordam) Helgeson on an Indian reservation in Harlem, Mont., on Sept. 19, 1937. The first two years of his life were spent living in a teepee near Zortman, Mont.

The family moved frequently in search of work in Montana, the mines of Idaho and the shipyards and canneries in Oregon. By the age of 8, Clarence was already earning money, packing ice for ice boxes for the shipyard tenants in Oregon. His childhood and teen years were spent going to school and working: picking beans, walnuts, raspberries and apples in Oregon, greenhouse labor in Montana, and bowling alley pin setting in Mullan, Idaho.

While attending Mullan High School, Clarence developed a love for sports. He excelled in football, baseball and basketball. After graduating from MHS, Clarence joined the Army, stationed in Babenhausen, Germany. Moving back to Mullan after an honorable discharge, Clarence worked for Gardner Denver and eventually married Dorothy Trickey and had a son. After a painful divorce, he found LOVE with Mary (Boyer) Jutila, a widow with four girls.

He then went back to school at North Idaho College and the University of Montana, receiving his teaching certificate in 1975. He taught 6th grade at Mullan Elementary for 22 years, retiring in 1997 and eventually moving from Mullan to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, due to health issues.

Clarence and Mary loved teaching, bowling, and gambling in Worley with fellow retired teachers, Bud, John, Peggy and anyone else that they could talk into going with them! Clarence and Mary’s love is everlasting; their 50th anniversary would have been May 31.

Clarence is survived by his sister, Lillian; brother, Ron; wife, Mary; son, Bret and four daughters: Mary, Lynell, Beth and Susie; along with eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

There will be a celebration of his life from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Morning Club in Mullan. A “sharing board” will be set up for friends and family to share memory notes and photos. To see Clarence’s online memorial and to leave a message for the family, please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com.