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Terence Helseth Obituary
Great Falls —Terence C. "Terry" Helseth, 77, of Great Falls, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2015 from cancer.
A celebration of his life will be held at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1617 6th Ave. N., on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
Terry was born July 13, 1938 in Veblen, South Dakota. He graduated from Pacific Lutheran College and Augustana Seminary.
Terry was a pastor for 51 years. He pastored in Dagmar, Montana and in Great Falls at St. John Lutheran Church and for the last 28 years at Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Terry served the Lord by loving people from all different walks of life. He had a heart for people and was sincerely interested in knowing them and showing God's love for them. He wanted to share his living hope in Jesus.
Terry enjoyed building his cabin and spending time with his family at Echo Lake. He enjoyed gardening and taking care of his fruit trees. Terry was known by all for his dry sense of humor and quick wit. Everywhere Terry went he was gifted in conversation and making friends.
Terry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carol; his two children Chris (Kim) and Allison (Josh); five grandchildren; two brothers; and two sisters. In addition, Terry leaves behind a loving family at Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
Memorials can be sent to Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1617 6th Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401 and Peace Hospice of Montana, 1101 26th St. S, Great Falls, MT 59405.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.OconnorFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Terence Helseth
Chuck Wetterling
September 21, 2015
Carol, so sorry for the loss of your husband. Chuck Wetterling
Patricia Tessmer
September 5, 2015
Carol, Chris,and Allison I extend my condolences to you and your extended family. This is a huge loss for your family and church. God will be with you in this time of grieve. My prayers and thoughts will continue to be with you in your journey of loss.
Belinda Thrift (Burkhard)
August 27, 2015
Carol, Chris, Allison & family I am so sorry for your loss! Pastor Terry always welcomed me (even when I felt everyone should shun me). His open arms offered the Father's love to the prodigal daughter & helped me regain a sense of who I am in Christ. I will always treasure his warm welcoming smile and shepherd's heart. My prayers are with you, MUCH LOVE!!!
jim and Barbara Going
August 27, 2015
May the srength and peace that comes from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ carry you at this time of Pastor Terry's home going. We are so thankful to have had the privilege of knowimg Pastor Helseth through the years. His smile always radiated the joy of the Lord that filled his soul. Our encounters were many though brief. His countenance is a lasting memory.
Joanne Stone
August 26, 2015
He will be missed. Prayers for peace and comfort to Carol, Chris and Allison and their families.
Your freind Kumal
August 26, 2015
My freind... I will see you again, but not yet... Not yet!! Xx
Jazmin Rappe
August 26, 2015
Thank you for the many years of teaching and sharing of your knowledge. <3
Rich Schultz
August 26, 2015
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. He was a Great Man and helped me change my life. I will miss him.
Bonnie Joslyn
August 25, 2015
What a delight for Terry, but so hard to lose one you love so dearly, Helseth and Vineyard Fellowship families. Praying comfort and guidance for all of you. It was a delight to watch Terry always seeking more of Jesus at the conferences he attended. Now he has his heart's desire.
Patrick Bryan
August 25, 2015
My friend my teacher you made a difference in this world and you will in Heaven.Thank you
Aura Solley
August 25, 2015
Carol and family, please accept our condolences on Pastor Terry's passing. He was a wonderful pastor and will be greatly missed. You have always been there for our family when we needed you, George and I were blessed to have Terry marry us and also do the dedication for BreAnna. May God bring you comfort and strength in your time of need. You will always be in our hearts.
brenda lewis
August 25, 2015
Carol and Kids I am so sorry for your loss I have known you both sense I was little, my thoughts and prayers are with you all Brenda Lewis/Vonnie Cornwall
Bill Thompson
August 25, 2015
Pastor Terry... you are one of my greatest mentors. I am blessed to have served at Vineyard under your leadership and to have been a part of your life. You will be missed and remembered always.
Stevens family
August 25, 2015
Dear Carol, Chris and Alison,
We are so sorry for your loss. Terry was an ambassador for Jesus Christ by the very nature of his ability to truly become a "brother" to our family and others. His travel to our town to do services for our family at my father's passing was so far above the call of duty, yet he answered that call without pause. And Alison also with her gift of the violin was truly amazing. The Spirit of God was truly at work in the celebration of Dad's life and his entrance into God's Holy kingdom because of the willingness of this Pastor to invite God's Holy Spirit through true worship. The world has lost a wonderful servant of God who touched so many lives with his Godly friendship and caring. The world needs more people like Terry. A mere thank you is not enough to convey our feelings for Terry, Carol and family. Thank you for sharing Terry with the rest of us.
God's Blessings to you.
Debra Morris
August 25, 2015
Pastor Helseth married my husband and I 40 years ago this October we have never forgotten this wonderful man in all our travels through the years.
Bob and Connie Foley
August 24, 2015
Our condolences to the Helseth family along with prayers. Terry was a joy to visit with and touched everyone's hearts who knew him. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Laurie Miller
August 24, 2015
Carol, my condolences on your loss. I have warm memories of the time when Pastor Terry served Nathanel Lutheran Church and you and he lived just half a mile from our farm. I was just a kid then, but I remember his wonderful singing voice, and all the songs he would lead during Bible Camp. I also remember how happy and proud he was to bring you to Dagmar as his bride. I also remember how kind he was to me the summer I spent working in Great Falls, in 1979. My thoughts are with you and your family in this time of loss.
Bonnie Anderson
August 24, 2015
I will truly miss you Pastor Terry, I know you are in a much better place. Thank you for all you did for me and all of my family we will always love and remember you
Dee Jolie
August 24, 2015
My life was Blessed to have Pastor Terry in it. Terry and Carol embraced my family as if we were always apart of theirs. Nick loved Pastor's Norwegian jokes about Olaf and Ollie and looked forward to a new one in his Christmas letter each year. You're Blessings & warm Spirit shown bright to all who knew and met you. Dear Pastor Terry rest without pain as you now live in the Kingdom with our Lord. Miss you until we meet again!
Bonnie Stone
August 24, 2015
Carol and family...I am truely blessed to be a part of the church family. I came to the church at a time of real need, my oldest son had just suffered a real tragic accident in Missoula and I had been a stray from the church until I came to Vineyard. What a blessing. Pastor Terry was such a accepting godly man and he welcomed me and my boys with open arms. I tried at one time to go to another church and it wasn't home...Vinyard and Pastor Terry and Carol were home. He was such a special man with a heart of god and fill with the love of Jesus and he brought that with him every where he went. I have some wonderful memories of him with my mother Charline and there discussions before church on Sunday mornings...It keeps me smiling. The one real blessing that I will never forget is my time in the hospital in November when he and Carol came to visit. I know it was his and Carols prayers along with the wonderful church family he created that I was on my way to healing. Well Pastor Terry...The gates open wide when you stepped through and I will always treasure your words and never forget you and I will see you again.
August 24, 2015
Carol and family. Our thoughts and prayers have been with you all. He ran a good race and now can rest with our Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit come and comfort you all now during this time of transition. Love and prayers. rick and Cindy Vandekop
Theresa (Micheletti) Knight
August 24, 2015
Carol... I was saddened to hear of Pastor Terry's passing. He was always very kind to me and my family. I hope the Lord provides comfort for you and your family during this difficult time.
Rick Teague
August 24, 2015
Please accept my most sincere condolences of your great loss. You will be in our prayers. God bless you with His peace.
cherise schultz
August 24, 2015
pastor will be greatly missed by my family. he did so much for us all. he was for sure a great example of a man of GOD. so sorry for your loss.
August 24, 2015
I love my grampa. I especially liked sitting on his lap in his special chair at the cabin, going on the pontoon boat, and his joking around. I love you Grandma Carol. Love, Hazel 7
James Kizer
August 24, 2015
Pastor Terry was a wonderful, dedicated Christian Man. I got to know Terry primarily through the Wednesday Pastor Prayer. I remember that he would bring up difficult topics and say things that many were thinking but probably wouldn't say. I loved his sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by this community. I earnestly pray for the family and the entire church.
Lindie Gibson
August 24, 2015
I'm very grateful for Terry's life and his ministry... I visited St JOhn's when I lived in Great Falls, back in the 80's - when Pastor Herb Mjorud was a guest, speaking... and, being raised Lutheran, it was the first time I'd ever experienced singing in the Spirit and it was so inspiring to have the Spirit of God fall on a congregation... I have never forgotten the yeildedness of the congregation - to a moving of the Holy Spirit... What an amazing time Terry is having now - after being set free from his earthly bonds... all Glory to God... Isaiah 33:17
Millie Card
August 23, 2015
My heart is sad. Words cannot express how truly sorry I am for your loss. He will be missed.
Jamie Burdett (Goulet)
August 23, 2015
I remember Pastor Terry as my childhood pastor until he performed my wedding back in 1986 at St.Johns Lutheran Church. I remember him as a down to earth, kind man, and a great leader. My thoughts & prayers are with Carol, Chris, Allison, and all of the extended family and grandchildren.
Doug & Laura Taylor
August 23, 2015
Dear Carol & family,
Doug and I were saddened to read of your loss of Terry. He was a gentle man that both Doug and I loved and admired. We will always have fond memories of him. You and yours are in our thoughts at this difficult time.Love & Warmest Regards Always, Doug & Laura Taylor
Natasha Chovanak
August 23, 2015
There are no words to describe such a wonderful and amazing man. I knew pastor Terry my entire life. He helped more than most know and listened when no one else would. He never judged and always had good advice and a helping hand. He will always be missed but where he is is where he always belonged. Cant wait till we meet again. My heart goes out to his family. God bless all of you. We are all better people for knowing him. Rest in peace pastor Terry we will always love and miss you.
Mary Copeland Garfias
August 23, 2015
This in Remember of my sweet Pastor Terry who always had the kindness words for everything you needed in your life. I will truly miss him and will look forward to meet him someday in my heavenly home.
Mary Copeland Garfias
August 23, 2015
Pastor Terry touched my life so very much just by his sweet words and helped our family when we lived in Greatfalls. I wished I could be there to comfort Carol and Chris, Allison in this time of loss. Terry will be greatly miss and I will always will remember his beautiful smile.
Joe & Lori Goulet
August 23, 2015
Our love & prayers go out to Carol, Cris and Kim and his family,Allison and Josh and her family.We wish we could be there to wrap our arms around each of you in person.Words seem so inadequate. Pastor Terry touched our lives in so many ways . He had a smile that warmed your heart, eyes that saw only the good in you & a heart as big as Montana . He will be greatly missed and forever loved and admired until the Trumpets sound !
Donna Arnold
August 23, 2015
Our sympathy to you and your family.
Bernice Johnson and Donna Johnson Arnold
Paul Wear
August 23, 2015
To the Helseth family, prayers and love to you all. Terry was an amazing servant and person. I always looked up to and admire him. His open arms and big smile and willingness to listen always welcomed anyone who needed comfort. What an amazing man who has influenced so many of us in this town for generations. Love you Terry and I will always remember your love and kindness. Until we meet again.
Cleo (Johnson) Nagel
August 23, 2015
So sorry for your loss.
Nina LaCasse
August 23, 2015
Love and prayer is the message you gave a thousand times! Sending that back a thousand more!! Love you all, prayers continue. <3
Bill Sanders
August 23, 2015
RIP Terry.
August 23, 2015
We are grateful for all the years of life we have shared with Terry and the family. He is a shining example of Jesus to so many and will be greatly missed. We look forward to spending eternity together and love you all so much.
Vic, Marie & Sam
Russ
August 22, 2015
Condolences to your family, Terry. I was one who was helped by you in the past.
Lori Adams (Goulet)
August 22, 2015
Carol, Chris and Kim and Family, Allison and Josh and Family- know that you all are in my prayers! Even though it's been 18 years since we've left Montana, Pastor Terry will always be my Pastor. Every church I have been in since River of Life has to stand up to it's standards or I don't feel I'm in the right church. The entire family is deeply sadden to hear the news of Pastor's passing as he was an amazing man with a heart of gold. Love you guys and miss you much!
Summer
August 22, 2015
So sorry for your loss Carol and family, praying for Gods comfort now.
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