Ingrid Helgesen

Our loving and adorable wife, mother, MorMor, FarMor, and BesteMor, Ingrid Helgesen, peacefully passed from this life on June 2, 2014, at the age of 85. She was born in Bergen, Norway on October 31, 1928.
As a young lady, she fell in love with John Olav Helgesen, and they were married July 10, 1948 in Bergen (later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple). In late 1949, they determined they wanted to go to America to raise their future family. Ingrid, who was expecting their first child within a month, bravely boarded the 10 day boat ride for America, leaving behind her family and all she knew. They made their way to Salt Lake City, where she and John established a home filled with love. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and wanted this passed on to her family. She loved to decorate with things from her homeland, and no one left her home without a sense of her Norwegian-ness. She worked hard to learn English, but her charming accent was always apparent. Her joy was being a wife, mother and a grandmother. She was an amazing homemaker, and was ever present to listen, to talk, to sing, to joke, or to comfort. Ingrid had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and faithfully served with great humility. She managed Fernwood’s Ice Cream Parlor on South Temple for several years. It was a delight to her children, who figured they had an endless supply of candies and ice cream treats available to them. She was a diligent and hard worker in every aspect of her life. Her kindness and thoughtfulness was experienced by many. She was so generous, in every aspect of the word, and truly a woman without guile.
Ingrid is survived by her husband, John, and they were blessed with six children: Harold (Darlene), Gary (Kathryn), June (David) Kunz, John (Connie), Ingrid (Chris) Smart, and Michael. They have 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, soon to be 28. She was preceded in death by her son Michael and her brother Haakon. Her sister Gerd Marie and brother Erling survive her and are living in Norway.
Friends may greet the family at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, on Friday, June 6th from 6-8 pm. Services will be held at the 21st North Ward Building on K Street and 2nd Avenue, Salt Lake City, on Saturday, June 7th at 11 am. Friends may greet the family prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 am.
Ingrid’s family wish to express their deep gratitude to the attentive kindness of the residents and staff at Legacy House of Bountiful and to Aspire Hospice.