Stanley Helland

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Stanley James (Jim) Helland, a devoted husband, a loving father, and loyal friend, who left this world to be with our Father in heaven on October 11, 2025, at the age of 81.

Jim was born in Frederic, Wisconsin on May 17, 1944, to Stanley and Violette (Anderson) Helland. Stanley was serving our country in the United States Navy at the time, and Jim met his father when he was two years old. Jim attended Siren High School, UW-Eau Claire, and graduated as a certified electrician from Dunwoody Institute. His electrical career with IBEW - Local 292 included working downtown Minneapolis, and in various commercial buildings in the twin cities.

Jim was a man defined by his unwavering work ethic, and his ability to fix just about anything; a jack of all trades with the heart of a helper. He enjoyed working in the woods, tinkering in the garage, and helping neighbors with a variety of projects. An electrician by trade, he brought light not just into homes and businesses, but brightened a room with his quick wit and love of seeing people smile and laugh with his many jokes. He especially enjoyed telling of the pranks he played while on one of his many jobs downtown. Jim was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and enjoyed watching NASCAR, and westerns on TV.

But beyond his skills and wit, Jim was a strong family man. Jim and Kathlyn (Rudisell) married on April 10th, 1964. Jim and Kathlyn (Kathy) grew up together in Siren, and started dating after Kathy graduated from college. Jim was a loving and devoted husband to Kathy, with whom he shared sixty-two wonderful years. They purchased their first home together in Brooklyn Center, and became members of Brooklyn United Methodist Church.

 Jim approached fatherhood with the same dedication he brought to everything else in his life. The couple lovingly raised two daughters, Deborah and Heidi. He worked tirelessly to provide, support and guide. He always seemed to have a way to make things happen for his family. When the girls wanted a skating rink in the backyard, he stood outside every cold night with a garden hose so they could have their own rink. When they wanted a playhouse, he built it. When Kathy wanted a vegetable garden, he cleared a big space in the backyard. And when the girls were learning to drive, Jim taught them how to change tires, how to change oil, and how to shift gears with a manual transmission.

Most weekends, the family enjoyed their time at the cabin on Little Yellow Lake, in Webster, WI. Jim remodeled both the inside and outside of the cabin. He also built a gazebo, where friends and family gathered. When you saw the campfire, and heard the laughter, you knew you were invited. During the summer, the family enjoyed water-skiing, fishing, volleyball, riding dirt bikes and catching frogs. In the winter, there were snowmobile rides through wooded trails with the neighbors, and days spent in a warm fish house that Jim built for the family. Jim also cleared a large space on the lake for ice skating. Several years later, Jim decided to retire early at the age of 55 but he didn't slow down. They sold the little cabin, and purchased a different cabin on the same lake. Jim assisted in the remodeling of that cabin to create their dream retirement home. He bought and managed a storage business, (U-Store-It), and volunteered his electrical skills and knowledge at Forts Folle Avoine. He even had the pleasure of playing Santa for a few years, experiencing the magic of the season with the little children who visited. Mrs. Claus was busy giving hugs and handing out treats.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, daughters Deborah (Mark Mossman) and Heidi (Kirk Staggert), and brother Mikal. He was Papa Jimmy to grandchildren Mitchell, Madison, Kylie and Theodore. He was preceded in death by brother Gary (Debbie), and parents Stanley and Violette. We will miss his strength, his stories and jokes, his helping hands, and things duct-taped well enough to last a lifetime. The family wishes to give a big thank you to the staff at Timber Pines Senior Living, and the doctors and nurses at the Welia Hospital in Mora, MN.

A celebration of life will be held on December 7th, at The Lodge in Siren, WI, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home.