Eero Helin

As I wrote this obituary for my dad, Eero Helin, my daughter said to me, "It's hard to sum up a person's life in just a page or two, mom." She is, of course, right on this; however, I can sum up the most basic sense of Eero in one sentence: It is up to you do decide to read further for more details!
"Eero was a good man who honored God, worked hard, and always did his best in life; he was a loving son, husband, dad, father-in-law, grandpa and friend."
Eero A Helin, age 89, husband for almost 65 years to Dorothy, passed away in his home, while being cared for by his family, on Good Friday, March 25, 2016. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at Covenant Lutheran Church in Stoughton, WI on April 12 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Mark Petersen officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests, if you like, to bring a dish to pass at the luncheon, or make a donation to Covenant Lutheran Church of Stoughton.
Eero is survived by his wife, Dorothy, son James, daughter Marla Janssen (Jon), and granddaughter Dorie of Stoughton, WI. He is survived by his son Scott (Raelene) of Alaska, and grandchildren Leah, Kyra and Hunter.
Emigrating from Finland when he was four years old, Eero's parents raised him in northern Wisconsin, where he lived until he joined the Navy to serve during WWII in the South Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Cabot. Eero felt so determined to serve our country, that he lied about his age and convinced his mom to sign his enlistment papers. After the war, Eero attended the seminary program at Suomi College in Michigan, but had to quit and return home to take care of his mother while she was ill. Eventually, Eero was able to leave upper Wisconsin to live in Waukegan, Illinois, where he worked for 30 years for Outboard Marine Corporation. He met his wife-to-be, Dorothy Lahti, at St. Mark's Lutheran church, and they began their adventure together in 1952.
A life well lived by Eero included raising his family in the church with love of God and a strong sense of patriotism. His joys included dancing and donuts with Dorothy, swimming with the family, hunting and fishing with his sons, and teaching his daughter about baseball and the constellations. He was an active participant with Scott and James in Indian Guides and then, in Boy Scouts, where he served as a Scout Leader for a decade, and then in various roles over the following years. Eero was also a loving son-in-law, always caring for Dorothy's mom, Lida, who had lost her husband at a young age. Additionally, he was always available to friends who needed him; he spent many days, weeks, and months sitting by the bedside of several friends who experienced terminal illnesses, both in Waukegan, IL and in Anchorage, AK.
After his retirement from OMC in 1986, Eero and Dot had followed their kids to Anchorage, AK, where they became active members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for almost 20 years. Work life is a fair percentage of time spent on this earth, and always one to keep busy, Eero had various jobs in Alaska, which included working as a cook, a school playground supervisor, a church janitor and a security guard. The security guard position did not last very long, because none of his family could get used to him not having a beard!
Eero and Dorothy's happiest times were spent with children and grandchildren. Grandpa Eero was always puttering about building things, or teaching his grandson about tools. Eero and Dorothy were always available to take care of the grandkids, teaching them about God, love and donuts; and Eero was never fearful about taking on those energetic kiddos even on his own, when Dorothy was working. I think it's those times that Finnish "Sisu" kept everyone on track! As a proud Finn, having a sauna was crucial, and one year he and son-in-law Jon enthusiastically rebuilt his after water damage had destroyed the Helin's first Alaskan one.
In 2004, Eero and Dorothy moved to Wisconsin and joined Covenant Lutheran Church in Stoughton. A sad note in Eero's life is that several years after moving to Wisconsin, he developed a severe and sudden dementia, which caused him to become home bound most of the time. Still... he was always ready with a hug and a welcome when anyone came to visit. We are so thankful Hospice made it possible for Eero to end his time here on earth with family around him - in his home.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Covenant Lutheran Church, 1525 N. Van Buren Street, Stoughton, with Rev. Mark Petersen officiating.

Please share your memories of Eero.

Cress Funeral Service
206 W. Prospect Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-9244