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David Helland Obituary
David Helland was born January 10, 1949 to Harlan and Josephine (Bussanmas) Helland in Des Moines, Iowa. After a diagnosis of Parkinson's a few years ago, he died peacefully in hospice in Chicago. David graduated from Lincoln High School in 1967. He graduated from the University of Iowa where he honed his literary skills and was columnist and Associate Editor of The Daily Iowan. After moving to Chicago, and being a regular attendant of Chicago Blues and Jazz Fests, he continued his writing focusing on magazine articles and linear notes for record albums and cd's. He was also editor of Downbeat magazine. Prior to his death, he was working on a history of jazz, which sadly he was unable to complete.
He is survived by his wife, Michaela Tomachewsky, his mother, Josephine Helland and sister, Jody (Bill) Moncrief.
David loved the dragonflies and bumblebees that patrolled his pond. Donations can be made in his name to Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation https://xerces.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Helland
Sponsored by the Des Moines Register.
4 Entries
Ray Main
May 23, 2022
Still miss him. I talk to Eric, Ken, and Steve more often now. I make sure I read all of Frank and Jack's emails.
Ray Main
May 23, 2021
David and I had a great deal of fun "learning the ropes" at the University of Iowa!!!! Interesting times.
Ray Main
June 29, 2020
David and I started at Park Ave. School and stayed together until the University of Iowa. There we many fun times along the way. He was almost always the smartest guy in the room!
I know he continued his unique perspective of life, politics, and MUSIC! In noisy Chicago he found his home, his passion for jazz, and as he often said..."the love of his life" Michaela. It sounds like a good run. Peace and rest with God.
Jerry Crawford
May 31, 2020
Dave was a high school classmate and always a good and interesting guy to spend time with. You could tell in high school he was going to have an interesting life and he didn't disappoint. God Speed friend.
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