John Helgesen

Biography

Our amazing Father, Papa, FarFar, and BesteFar peacefully passed from this life to be reunited with his eternal companion, Ingrid, on September 2, 2014. A cloud of sadness has lingered with him since her passing on June 2, 2014. They had been married for 66 years. He was born in Bergen, Norway on February 18, 1921.
As a young man, John worked in a jewelry factory. There, a cute little co-worker named Ingrid Iversen quickly caught his eye – and his heart. He was smitten. John and Ingrid were married in Bergen on July 10, 1948 and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they determined to answer the call to “come to Zion” and to raise their family in America. They immigrated in 1949 and Salt Lake City was to be their home.
John and Ingrid started life together with nothing but their love and faith in their purpose. By necessity, they lived prudently and wisely to take care of their growing family. Upon arrival to their new home they soon started learning English so he could get a job to provide for his family. With hard work and persistence he found employment working at the LDS Church Office Building, where he remained until his retirement. John’s hard work, ingenuity and frugality allowed him to return, with his family, on multiple occasions to Norway to visit with the family he and Ingrid had left behind.
John was a kind and gentle man. His family was of paramount importance to him. He ensured family time together, whether taking trips up the canyon, a drive through Memory Grove, a trek to “the lot”, or vacations at Bear Lake at Lakota Campground. Countless memories of family time together will always remain in our thoughts. All six of his children knew that he loved them “the most”. Perhaps the greatest gift he gave to his children was the love and unparalleled devotion he had for his wife, Ingrid. Rarely did a day go by in the 66 years they were married that expressions of love weren’t exchanged. John’s fullest joy and satisfaction was found as he inventively played with his children and grandchildren.
John had a wonderful tenor voice and found great joy in singing. He was a member of the Scandia Male Chorus for many years and enjoyed the kinship here in America with others from Scandinavia as they traveled and performed together. One of John’s great passions was genealogical research. He spent thousands and thousands of hour searching for names of ancestors, and found great satisfaction in seeing that their temple work was completed. He served with humility when called upon and had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
John and Ingrid were blessed with six children: Harold (Darlene), Gary (Kathryn), June (David) Kunz, John (Connie), Ingrid (Chris) Smart, and Michael (deceased). They have 17 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
John was a humble man. He was so grateful for all that he had and expressed that gratitude easily and often. In his last years, it was truly amazing to experience the sincere appreciation he felt for every little service given him.
A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street in Bountiful on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 6-8 pm. Graveside service will be held in the Salt Lake City Cemetery at 11 am on Saturday, September 6, 2014.
Our family is so very grateful for the tender and loving care given to John from Inspiration Hospice, Legacy House of Bountiful, and Aspire Hospice. We particularly want express thanks to Donette Hurst for her devotion, comfort and service given to both John and his family.

Graveside Services

Salt Lake City Cemetery
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