Sylvester "Vess" Heltemes

September 24, 1923 - May 26, 2018

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sylvester John "Vess" Heltemes, age 94 of Wadena, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena with Fr. Aaron Kuhn as celebrant. Friends may call at the Johnson-Schuller chapel in Wadena on Thursday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Catholic United Financial Rosary service at 6:00 p.m. and parish prayers at 7:00 p.m.. The visitation will continue on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Sylvester John Heltemes, 94, died Saturday, May 26, 2018, at his home in Wadena. Sylvester “Vess” was born on September 24, 1923, to Joseph and Margaret (Wegscheid) Heltemes and lived in the Bluffton and Wadena area. He grew up with eight brothers and sisters. Sylvester proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. On October 14, 1947, Vess married Cecelia L. Budig at the St. Ann Catholic Church in Wadena, MN. Their marriage was blessed with nine children. He had strong faith, devotion and love for his family. Everyone can agree that his silent mannerisms, patience and gentleness were a gift from God. He was a lifelong farmer enjoying all the seasons. Spring, the joy of planting; Summer, watching those labors grow; Fall, the anticipation of harvest; rest for the Winter to begin again. His carpentry skills and attention to detail produced both strong buildings and friendships. Dad enjoyed playing cards with the young and old, doing puzzles, bird watching, hunting with the boys (his last successful deer hunt at the young age of 92) and keeping bunnies and blackbirds out of "moms" garden using his sharp-shooter BB gun skills. Oh yah, and watching those Twins!! His grandchildren loved the visits to the farm, riding with grandpa on the tractor and experiencing his kindness to the barn cats and family dog. Sitting at the table (eating rhubarb, Andes mints or black licorice) he got their attention with a lift of his bushy eyebrows, twinkle in his blue eyes, wiggling of his ears or the movement of the biggest working hands they ever saw. That was Vess’ quiet mischief. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Margaret; daughter Laurie Langen, son-in-law Tom Weiss, one sister, Lidwina (Hubert) Buettner, four brothers, Norbert (Pat), Alvis (Marlys, Eileen), Victor (Helen) and Gilbert and brother-in-law Syl Budig. Vess is survived by his wife of 70 years, his children John (Brenda) Heltemes, Lenore Aarness, Janice Heltemes, Bill (Marilou) Heltemes, Judy Heltemes, Jane (Jim) Merickel, Cindy Weiss, and Curt (Kim) Heltemes, 20 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; his sisters; Jeanette Budig, Julie (Jack) Josephson, and brother Rich (Coy) Heltemes; sister-in-law JoAnn Heltemes; son-in-law Bill Langen and numerous nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be Tyler Aarness, Brian Heltemes, Chad Bernstetter, Jason Merickel, Mitch Heltemes, and Brett Weiss. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kevin Heltemes, Sara Stone, Selena Aarness, Christi Akolly, Cheri Maboudou-Tchao, Misti Simmonds, Megan Heltemes, Monica Heltemes, Judy Merickel, Nikki Weiss, Treye Heltemes, Corey Heltemes, Garrett Heltemes, and Brandt Heltemes. Memorials will go to St. Ann Church, St. Cloud Diocesan TV Mass and Boy's Town. Thank you for sharing in the celebration of dad's life. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN.