Clayton W. Helinske, age 93 of Howard Lake, Minnesota died on Monday, April 4, 2022 at North Memorial Hospital. He was born January 2, 1929 in Deer River, MN the son of Walter and Hattie (Wackler) Helinske. He was baptized January 27, 1929 by pastor W.G Brammer at Deer River, MN and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church on April 2, 1944 by Pastor Eugene Seltz. He attended country schools, St. James Parochial School and Howard Lake High School. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Zimmerman on May 16, 1953 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. He was employed at Howard Lake Farmers Creamery, Custer Super Valu and Cokato Manor.
Clayton served in the US Army for three years and nine months, the majority of this time was spent in Germany. He was honorably discharged at the rang of staff sergeant. He was a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church and had served as an elder and on evangelism and stewardship boards. He served on the Howard Lake city council for a number of years. He was a member of the Montrose VFW.
Clayton enjoyed fishing, deer hunting swimming, scuba diving, gardening, and yard work. In the winter he spent his time painting oil on canvas and the in later years, word searching and putting puzzles together. He enjoyed helping others with their house projects.
Clayton is survived by his wife Marjorie, brother in-law, Gerald Rasmussen of Howard Lake, sisters in-law and brothers in-law, Yvonne Urban of Silver Lake, Marlene Zimmerman of Winsted, Gordon (Gloria) Zimmerman of Owatonna, Loren (Charlotte) Zimmerman of Howard Lake, and Clifford (Linda) Zimmerman of Howard Lake, along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hattie Helinske, father in-law, and mother in-law, Joseph and Corinne Zimmerman, sister, Sandra Rasmussen, brothers, Norman (Marion) Helinske, and Donald (Carol) Helinske, brothers in-law, Kenneth Zimmerman, John Custer, and Ted Urban, sisters in-law, Rachel Custer and Laura Mae Zimmerman.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Officiating at the service will be Reverend Mark Loder and Vicar Zach Klumpp, with Luke Dahl serving as organist and special music provided by Marge Stueven. Casket bearers will be Mark Custer, Bryan Urban, Todd Urban, Kenneth C. Zimmerman, Bradley Zimmerman, and Nathan Zimmerman. Internment will follow services at the Howard Lake Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401
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