Richard E. Helget, age 78 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on September 11, 2023, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel with Parish Prayers at 4:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Friday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church-North Entrance in Sleepy Eye. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11:00 am and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/
Richard Edmund Helget, the son of Sylvester and Helen (Hillesheim) Helget, was born on April 27, 1945, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Along with his three siblings, he was raised on the family farm in Comfrey where he developed a strong work ethic. He attended school in Comfrey, and following graduation from high school, Richard served his country for four years in the Army National Guard. On October 15, 1971, Richard married his beloved wife, Diane Pelzel at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and they were blessed with five children.
For much of his life, Richard was a farmer – and a proud one. He loved milking cows and did so for many years. In addition to farming, he worked for Leavenworth Silage. He was also a craftsman and was quite talented at building things with his hands. In his younger days he enjoyed hunting. He also loved bowling, golfing, and baseball. To say he was an avid Green Bay Packers fan would be an understatement. What Richard loved most of all was being a husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He cherished his family and will be incredibly missed.
Richard is survived by his children, Marcy (Shawn) Runing of North Mankato, Neil (Stacy) Helget of Gibbon, Stacy Helget of North Mankato, Keith “Beaner” Helget of Sleepy Eye, and Russell (Mary) Helget of Sleepy Eye; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; siblings, Darlene (Butch) Braulick of New Ulm, Doris Schiebel of New Ulm, and Gary Helget of Sleepy Eye; and other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Helget; his parents, Sylvester and Helen Helget; and Diane’s parents, Melvin and Marcella Pelzel.
