Roger Keith Helland

Roger Helland passed away on August 17, 2025, at the age of 84. Born a Protestant Christian / Lutheran in Racine, Wisconsin on November 16, 1940, Roger was raised as an only child by his parents Harold and Inga (Fossum) who loved him and his sons, Brian and Brentt, unconditionally. He was the "kissing cousin" at family gatherings which there were many. Roger grew up in a family that would meet many times each year at holidays, annual picnic ("Helland Fest"), and other celebrations. Roger was proud of his Norwegian ancestry and traveled as far as Norway with his aunt Esther, Uncle Art, and cousin Wayne when he was a child. Roger loved traveling in North America and traveled nearly every state in the United States with his sons during their childhood. Roger enjoyed hunting elk, mule deer, and pronghorn "out West"; fishes as a tropical fish hobbyist; gardening at his first house on 21st Street in Racine; fishing, anywhere but mostly Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico; and boating. He had an adventurous spirit even water skiing 6-8 feet swells as a young man on Lake Michigan.

Roger was a member of the Fifth Street Yacht Club for many years and, later, the Harbor Lite Yacht Club with his wife Cheryl. Roger's love for his family and heritage was evident in the names of boats owned by him and his father ("Twins Love" and "Twins Love II) and he and his wife Cheryl ("RoCher" and "CR Viking"). Roger worked at S.C. Johnson & Son for 40+ years. He also worked as a handyman doing plasterwork, paint work, cement work. etc. Roger could nearly build anything you'd find materials at a hardware store / wholesaler. After retirement, he and his 3rd wife Cheryl who preceded him in death by less than one year, lived many warmer months in Racine, Wisconsin and cooler months in Marco Island / Naples, Florida.

Roger was Dad to his sons Brian and Brentt, and a father to Robert Laduron and James Harbaugh.

He will be sadly missed and always dearly loved