John Helms Obituary

Hopkins, MN – Johannes Helms, a long-time resident of Valparaiso, IN followed by ten years in Mesquite, NV and four years in Hopkins, MN, died peacefully on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the age of 89. Known as John, he was born in 1931 in Jeypore, India where his parents served as part of Germany's Lutheran Breklum Mission from 1930-1950. He finished high school at Kodaikanal in southern India in 1949, came to the United States to attend Valparaiso University from which he graduated in 1953, and became a U.S. citizen in 1962. He also held an MA and a PhD in Classical Studies from the University of Michigan.

John was a devoted Classics professor who began his teaching career at Luther College in Decorah, IA and later returned to V.U. where he was a professor from 1963 to 1995. During his tenure there, he served as Director of the Overseas Study Center in Reutlingen, Germany (1992-95), led mini-session courses to Greece and Italy, and served as Foreign Languages department chair and as the University Marshal. He also developed and managed the university's credit union.

John met his wife, Edith (Dorothea) Ofstedal, while teaching at Luther College and they were married in 1958 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. They were faithful members of the Lutheran church throughout their lives and were instrumental in starting the Mesquite Lutheran Childcare Center in Nevada in their retirement years. John loved to travel, was young at heart, and was known for his outsized personality and sense of adventure. He will be remembered for living a life full of gratitude, caring and service to others.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Dorothea Helms; his parents, Nicolaus and Anna Hedwig Helms; his brother Reimer Helms and sister Elsabe Ivens; and his son-in-law James Roth. He is survived by sisters Karin (Hans) Gruenheit, Erika Helms, Gesa (Paul) Helms and brother Klaus (Karin) Helms; his three daughters Elizabeth (James) Roth, Joann (Louis) Scozzari and Heidi (Jeff) Boyle; four grandchildren, Kristin and David Roth and Isabella and Josefina Scozzari; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN where John's and Dorothea's cremains will be interred in the Memorial Garden. Memorial gifts may be made to either the Lutheran Diaconal Association, 1304 LaPorte Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46363 or Mesquite Lutheran Childcare Center, 450 Turtleback Road, Mesquite, NV 89027.

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Published by Post-Tribune on Oct. 2, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for John Helms

6 Entries

Renee E Zak & Eric Zak (son)

September 9, 2024

I found out today of John´s passing. I am very sorry to all family members for their loss. I met John through Immanuel Lutheran Church when he needed home care help for his colleague. Later, I assisted John and Dorothea in their home and we became good friends. My son, Eric was very young and enjoyed their old timer stories and went for an occasional ride in his old Mercedes, blueberry picking. Our German background was the cohesiveness of our friendship and I was sad when they moved to NV. We corresponded through email, a few phone calls, but the computer and his silly cartoons he´d send me were his favorite past time. He and his wife were of a long gone era of tough souls who came to this country and made a great life. They always did service to those less fortunate.
I will visit the Memorial Garden to pay my respects. RIP Professor Helms. .

Mel Bohlmann

May 21, 2022

Sorry I missed the memorial service for John in Immanuel Church today - he was a special person whose life intersected with mine frequently at VU beginning in 1959 and ending when he and Dorothea moved from Valpo to NV. We served the new VU Fed. Credit Union Loan Com. 1950, celebrated a New Yr's Eve with neighbor s Barneko, were entertained by his stories of tours to Greece, celebrated our Nov. birthdays at Elderjoy banquets.. My condolences to his precious family

Heinrich and Erika Helms

February 20, 2022

with grieving hearts we found Johannes obituary only today. I (Heinrich Helms) am Johannes cousin from uncle Johannes. I libe with my wife Erika in Kiel.
Our condolences go to the relatives.
Heini and Erika

Chuck & Kathy Pauson

October 18, 2021

We are saddened to hear of John's passing and send our prayers for comfort to his family. He entered our lives at two significant times. The first was during Chuck's undergraduate years at Valpo where John was his Greek professor. Then John & Dorothea were members of Mesquite Lutheran Church when Chuck was called in 2004. They also helped us celebrate our son Michael's graduation from Valpo in 2006. We were blessed to know and work with John & Dorothea. Both were true examples our God's love in action and we miss them already. May they rest in Jesus peacefully.

Fred and Marie Kavanagh

October 8, 2021

John and Dorothea were among the first people we met at VU. Their gracious hospitality brightened many an evening.

George Sperry

October 4, 2021

John was a special friend and I cherish many fond memories. We had many good times managing Valparaiso University Federal Credit Union.

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