John R. Helander

John Ray Helander, age 88, of Brantwood, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, under Compassus Hospice at Tomahawk Health Services. John was born to Gust and Phoebe Helander on September 30, 1937, in Brantwood, WI, the youngest of three. He graduated high school in 1956 from Tri-Union High School in Tripoli, WI.

After high school, John tried out a few different ventures including serving in the US Army, studying forestry at UW River Falls, and completing an internship with Caterpillar in Milwaukee, WI. However, he ultimately landed back up in the Northwoods where he worked for 32 years as a valued engineer at Prentice Hydraulics (Blount).

John was a man of many other hobbies and talents as well. An avid reader of Popular Mechanics, he loved learning and talking about cars and anything mechanical. He was a talented woodworker making beautiful bowls, letter holders, and other pieces. He appreciated walks in the woods with both his sons and his wife, Janet (their yearly picnic always included bologna sandwiches, kahvia, and "wool-gathering"). He enjoyed many, many fishing trips up to Canada with his brother-in-law, Norman, as well as many other close friends. He even enjoyed a few trips back to Finland with his wife to meet relatives and learn more of their heritage.

John will be fondly remembered as a kind and caring man. After a long, fulfilling life, John truly went out like a Finlander, with Sisu.

John is survived by his wife of 32 years, Janet (Kangas) Helander, of Brantwood, WI; his two sons, David (Anna) Helander, of Baraboo, WI, and Micheal Helander of Somerset, WI; his brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Dawn Heikkinen, of Prentice, WI; and his aunt, Idel Kangas, of Tripoli, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings; and other friends and family.

A small private gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate John's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Oulu Culture & Heritage Center in Iron River, WI. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.