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Reinard Wright Helder Jr.

1942 - 2017

Reinard Wright Helder Jr. obituary, 1942-2017, Marysville, CA

BORN

1942

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Lakeside Colonial Chapel & Crematory - Marysville

830 D Street

Marysville, California

Reinard Helder Obituary


The Man, the Myth, the Legend: Reinard Wright Helder Jr. passed away on August 30th, 2017, in the loving company of his wife of fifty-five years, Carole Helder, and his daughter, Corinna Hayes.

A man skilled in numerous trades, always full of wise platitudes as well as snarky remarks, Reinard was born to Reinard Wright Helder Sr. and Maxine Etta Helder on August 12th, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, and moved to the Yuba-Sutter area at the age of five.

Strong-willed, ambitious, and a true leader, Reinard had the determination to tackle anything he set his mind to. It wasn't just enough for him to learn a little bit about something - if it captured his interest, then he strived to become the best at it.

Just a glimpse of his most noteworthy achievements over the course of his seventy-five years of life include, but are not limited to: the Master's degree he earned in Geography from Chico State University while working to support his wife and children, serving on the Yuba County Planning Commission for a four-year term, becoming a welding instructor at Yuba Community College, and even launching and operating his own well respected business known as Helder Manufacturing, which served the Yuba-Sutter area and beyond for over thirty-five years.

His personality could only be described as "larger than life:" Reinard was never one to do anything half-way. His passions included demanding that every single family member try what he had cooked (even if they had repeatedly told him that they were not hungry), telling people what they needed to be doing with their lives in order to succeed (even if it was a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do situation), refusing to put on pants in his own home (even if his granddaughter was trying to introduce him to the person she was dating at the time) and standing up for the ones he loved with an unwavering ferocity (even if they didn't always deserve it).

Reinard had a particular fondness for Mexico and its food, music and culture; he and his wife vacationed there regularly, where they went on to develop countless close friendships that have spanned the course of decades. He also loved studying history, photography (which stemmed from his parents, who founded The Helders Photography), architectural work (he even built his own home, brick-by-brick), farming, shooting guns, hoarding computer parts, and the sassy Bichon Frise that he and his wife received as a 50th wedding anniversary present (named Annie, short for "anniversary").

Reinard leaves a proud legacy behind which includes his beloved wife, Carole, their three children, and eight grandchildren. Beyond biological relatives, he also leaves behind immeasurable numbers of lives he touched with his wisdom, selflessness, and generosity, encompassing several generations as well as multiple countries. In the words of the wise Winnie the Pooh, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

A celebration of life service honoring Reinard will take place on a private property in Brown's Valley, California at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 15th, 2017. If you would like to attend, please email [email protected] or call or text (530) 645-2354 for more details.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appeal Democrat on Sep. 6, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Reinard Helder

Not sure what to say?





Rennie Helder

August 26, 2020

Crazy Like a River (Gen 49:21, Isa 49:21)

God sees man as a tree, as a reed
His are reeds plucked-up
Trees that fell: "Rivers of Living-Water Will flow from our bellies"
Ah, shoot - Oh, well

It's raining, but we can't tell
Is all that flows down sublime?
It's dark, we don't lay it to heart
A good man gets up seven times
Ah, part - Oh, depart

Traveling around the blocks
Stumbling through doors unlocked
Confused about Buddha
And bound to be mocked
Ah, honey - Oh, meshuggah

Crazy is the river's appearance
The shape depicts the land
The way, a man's suggestion
And God moves His hand
Ah, rejection - Oh, reflection

One could say the tree was dry
But, rescued from the mire
A household of enemies, like being led
Going with the wind, God's desire
Ah, no bed - Oh, to rest my head

When the river meets the sea
And Jesus is seen in me
The wood, the words and a Way
Become clear and clean
Ah, happy day - Oh, we can stay!

I'll see you in heaven, Dad. ❤

Corinna Hayes

August 30, 2018

I love you Daddy.

Corinna Hayes

August 30, 2018

Corinna Hayes

August 30, 2018

Corinna Hayes

October 9, 2017

I miss you every single day Daddy. I miss that silly expression you'd always wear on your face to greet me whenever I'd walk into the room. I miss your stories and jokes. I miss your amazing cooking like your famous pancakes, turkey gravy, and so much more. I miss all of your advice and knowledge and never realized how much I valued it until you passed away. I miss your hugs and "I love yous." I miss your constant encouragement. You were and always will be my number one champion and hero. You always helped everyone else before you ever helped yourself. You were one in a million. I've never known anybody else with quite as big of a heart as you had. It's sad that I will probably never come across anybody quite as special and unique as you ever again but I will pray that I do. You're always in my thoughts and in my heart. I will love and cherish you forever. My memory and love for you will never fade.

Rennie Helder

September 19, 2017

(Original work by Rennie Helder)
Four Wheels
Years ago, when I was just eleven
Dad drove a maroon pick-up truck
When he was done working his steel he said,'get behind the wheel'
I was in heaven -- I was in luck!

I didn't beg for the keys; I didn't ask why
Oh, how I loved that Ford, so!
The first time I'd drive with dad by my side
Steering a wheel bigger than my torso

We drove two miles North Friday evening
At eleven, I wasn't geographic
A small ordeal with my eyes just above the wheel
Oh, the looks from oncoming traffic!

I kept it at sixty looking straight ahead
Dad seemed to compose his nerves
But, as I was buckled, I noticed white-knuckles
Help me to make two curves

I'd swerve a little trying not to cross the line
I'm glad a patrolman wasn't near
He'd find me hard to book, seated on a phone book
Grinning from ear to ear

Four wheels sure beats skateboards and motorbikes
Back roads lost their groove
Mom said, 'that's just great, why is dad late?'
I said, 'he's here -- he just can't move...

Mom, don't be mad, I drove the Ford on the highway
Please don't think dad's a jerk
Spaghetti's your best meal -- it was up on two wheels
Tomorrow, I'll take him to work.'

Robbie Carlin

September 14, 2017

Reinard, you will be forever missed in this world. Your ability to tackle any problem, whether it be someone's personal problem or one of a mechanical nature, is a gift that you have given us throughout your life. You have always been a true friend of mine throughout our lives together. Your hospitality along with your wonderful friendship is a blessing that I will always have until we meet again.

Richard

September 6, 2017

Rest in peace Reinard. Your kindness & wisdom will be missed as will that friendly and joyful smile.

Michael Bargo

September 6, 2017

I've never known anyone with a bigger heart, a greater willingness to help others, to improve the lives of others; to always be ready to share. He was the most knowledgable person I've ever known, and I owe a lot to his help. He helped me fix my cars to save money, be able to afford a house and family, to do many things I would otherwise never think of trying to do. He's irreplaceable to me and many others. I had him as a friend longer than anyone else. He had a tremendous gift. To say I will miss him is a vast understatement. My life and the lives of my children are much better because of him, even though I lived in Chicago area all the time I knew him. He never hesitated to answer the phone and talk about anything. The world would be a far better place if we had more Reinards.

Talia

September 6, 2017

I love you papa.

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Make a Donation
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Memorial Events
for Reinard Helder

Sep

15

Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m.

Private Property

Brown's Valley, CA

Funeral services provided by:

Lakeside Colonial Chapel & Crematory - Marysville

830 D Street, Marysville, CA 95901

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