Obituaries: August 2, 2024

Richard Helmberger
Richard Adam Helmberger, 99, of Tower, died peacefully at the Virginia Hospital on Monday, July 29, 2024, less than one month shy of his 100th birthday. No public memorial service is planned. The family would like to thank the staff of Essentia Hospice and the Virginia Hospital for their care and support during Richard’s final days. Arrangements are being handled by Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home of Tower.
Richard was born on Aug. 26, 1924, in a farmhouse outside Gary, S.D., to John James Helmberger and Mary Magdaline Klein Helmberger. The family later moved to a farm outside of Perham, Minn., which is where he spent most of his childhood and had his fondest memories of his early years. As a boy, Richard worked every day on the farm, tending the livestock, milking cows, and working the fields along with his 12 siblings. He also spent considerable time hunting and fishing to help put food on the family table during the tough times of the Great Depression. He trapped as well, mostly muskrats, to earn money.
Richard served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed in the Philippines and on Okinawa. He was slated for the invasion of Japan, which never came in the wake of Japan’s surrender. After the war, thanks to the GI Bill, he attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a business degree and later began his own independent insurance agency, which he operated for over 30 years before selling the business to a friend. Shortly after, he went back to work part-time for the company, where he continued to handle his longtime accounts until finally retiring at age 87.
He met his future wife, Patricia Stave of Lengby, in the late 1950s and the couple married on May 27, 1960, eventually settling in Bloomington. They had three children, Marshall, Zachrey and Clair. Following their divorce, Richard later settled in Plymouth where he continued to enjoy hunting and fishing with friends well into his 80s and working in his large vegetablegarden. He had a long and loving relationship during his later years with Karen Krebsbach of Brooklyn Center, and he maintained regular contact with her right up until the end.
Richard’s children moved him to a house in Tower in 2020 after his loss of short-term memory made it impossible for him to live on his own without daily assistance. His children and a close friend assumed caregiving responsibilities from that time on.
Richard is survived by his children, Marshall and Clair, both of Tower, and Zachrey of El Prado, N.M.; daughter-in-law, Jodi Summit; grandson, Maxwell Helmberger; ex-wife, Patricia Helmberger of Tower; special friend, Karen Krebsbach; long-term caregiver, Victoria Ranua; brother, Peter of Madison, Wis.; and countless nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary; brothers, Leo, John, Clifford, Howard and Donald; and sisters, Lucille, Marie, Grace, Sally, Millie and Kay.

Darlene M. Hubbard
Darlene M. Anderson Hubbard, 96, of Mt. Iron, died on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Mt. Iron. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Virginia. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.
Survivors include her children, Linda (Tom) Heski of Cannon Falls, Terry (Debby) Hubbard of Waterford, Wis., Debby (Bill) McCormick of Duluth, Peggy (Ray) Makkyla of Embarrass, Jim (Sheryl) Hubbard of Bemidji, Cindy (Vern) Elg of Superior and Robert Hubbard of Eveleth; 12 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; son-in-law, John Fechner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sandra J. Boutto
Sandra J. “Sandi” Gustafson Boutto, 68, a lifelong resident of Cook, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Elmore Assisted Living in Elmore. A celebration of life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the VFW Club in Cook. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Rebecka and Michael; grandchildren, Brandi, Neiva and Eli; great-grandson, Elijah; siblings, Bev McGowen, Dave (Karen) Gustafson, Sherry Crego, Jeff (Linda) Gustafson and Greg (Dawn) Gustafson; numerous nieces and nephews; and her dog, Charlie.