Beaula "Bee" Helgeson

Beulah (Bee) Lillegaard Helgeson came into this world on November 1, 1923, in the tiny town of Stephen, Minnesota, on November 1st, 1923. After an incredible 101 years of life, she passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025.

Bee grew up in Bagley, Minnesota, where she first crossed paths with her future husband, Hunter. Her first impression? She thought he was “rather stuck-up” - good thing she gave him a second chance! They tied the knot in 1944, kicking off a life full of adventures as Hunt’s Navy career took them all over - Chicago, Maine, Virginia, and beyond. After the war, Hunt joined the FBI, and the two hopped from Philadelphia; New Orleans; Biloxi and Jackson, (MS); Chicago; D.C.; and eventually back to Bagley before Bee settled in Tulsa and then in Montrose, CO.

While in Jackson, Bee’s knack for writing landed her a job at a local, weekly newspaper where she wrote a column called The Bee Line. That led to a job writing commercials and even hosting a weekly, 5-minute, TV show – pretty impressive for back in the day!

When they were in D.C., Bee went to George Mason University, earning her BA in History (Magna Cum Laude, no less). She loved digging into research at the Library of Congress and later worked as an editor for the National Parks & Recreation Association covering congressional hearings and polishing up articles. In Chicago, she took over as editor for the American Dental Assistants Association journal, which meant jetting off to conventions in places like San Diego, Las Vegas, and Boston.

After Hunt retired in 1976, they moved back to Bagley, MN, where Bee jumped into local theater – acting, assistant directing, and even directing a play. She also took grad courses in English at Bemidji State University. They stayed there until Hunt’s passing in 1983.

The next year Bee moved to Tulsa, OK, to help care for her aging parents. Over 26 years there, she threw herself into her church (Kirk of the Hills), serving as elder, deacon, choir member, and newsletter writer. She also volunteered at St. Francis Hospital, edited their newsletter, and got involved with the Assistance League of Tulsa and the Tulsa PEO. As the beloved “Granny Bee”, she enjoyed watching her great-grandchildren grow for nearly a decade when their family moved to Tulsa.

In 2009, Bee made her final move to Montrose, CO, to be near her daughter (Jody) and son-in-law (Charlie). She settled into Sunrise Creek (now Montage Creek) where she kept right on writing -- interviewing fellow residents for mini-bios and editing the monthly newsletter.

Bee had a wonderful, creative mind, kept sharp with daily-word puzzles, devotionals, by playing bridge and reading. She loved every place she lived, and considered every move a new adventure. She was the most gracious, kind woman, always making others feel at ease, lighting up their lives with her beautiful smile and faith in Christ. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hunter, and her sister, Eunice Miller. She is survived by her brother, Neil Lillegaard; her children, Timothy Helgeson (Patrick), Scott Helgeson (Deborah) and Jody Zimmerman (Charlie), her grandchildren, Laurel Sitki (Eren) and Sam Zimmerman (Tricia) and four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Isabelle, Samantha and Nathan.

She will be taken to Bagley where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.