Charlene Helland

Obituary:

Charlene A. Helland, 89, formerly of Boyd, died peacefully in Altoona at her daughter’s home on May 30, 2026. She was born on February 9, 1937, to the late Carl and Mae (Foreman) Luebstorf.

She grew up near Boyd and graduated from McDonnel High School in 1955. Charlene married Duane Helland on October 22, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Boyd. Charlene worked for Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley for over 30 years in the medical records department. Throughout her life, Charlene was a woman of remarkable strength, courage, and determination. She fought cancer with unwavering resilience and grace, facing every challenge with hope and refusing to let her illness define her. Her perseverance inspired everyone who knew her, and her fighting spirit remained strong until the very end. Above all else, she cherished her family. She was the devoted mother of seven children, whom she loved unconditionally and supported throughout their lives. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother to her fifteen grandchildren and great-grandmother to twenty great grandchildren. Whether through warm hugs, words of wisdom, back tickles, bandaids on scraped knees, chocolate malts, or simply spending time together, she made each grandchild feel deeply loved and special. Charlene will be remembered for her kind heart, selfless nature, and ability to bring comfort and strength to those around her. She taught her family the importance of faith, perseverance, and unconditional love. Her legacy lives on through the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who were blessed to know and love her. Though her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her family finds comfort in the countless memories she created and the love she shared so freely. Her courage in the face of adversity and her devotion to her family and faith will never be forgotten. Forever loved, forever remembered, and forever in our hearts. She is survived by her children, Greg (Deanne) of Chetek, Julie (Dwayne) Reppert of Sheldon, Jeanne (Matt) Smoczyk of Altoona, Tom (Roberta) of Willard, Gary (Tina) of Chaska, MN, John (Nadabia) of Eau Claire, Cheri (Dan) Rezac of SD, 15 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren, her siblings Ruthanne (Paul) Hickey, of WA, Bev (Dan) Hilman, of WA, Kathy (Jim) Stark of WA, Linda (Brad) Brandsford of WA, Patricia Fraisure of WA, Joan (Darel) Trotzer-Yoakum) of WA, Jane (Scott) Valley of WA, Jean Trotzer-Nichols of WA.

Charlene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Duane (1999), her siblings Jerry Waldusky and Tom Trotzer and brothers-in-law Lynn Horn and Ed Fraisure.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, June 5th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Boyd with Father William Felix officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Boyd. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.