John Helfenstein age 88. Son of Peter and Elizabeth (Shock) Helfenstein was born June 4, 1930 on a farm ten miles south of Ashley, North Dakota. He attended a rural school in McPherson County South Dakota and worked on the family farm.
John married Gertrude (Bader) on April 25th 1954 and purchased the family farm. In 1966 after having 4 children they sold the farm and moved to Spokane, WA and had a 5th child. John was employed by the Spokane Industrial Park and became Maintenance Supervisor for the Park. He attended community college and received many trade related certificates over the 25 years he worked for the Park, before he retired in 1992. John had a family side business from 1967 until 2014 selling kindling and recycling lumber. John always liked to visit with people, play billiards and as an Eagle’s member for 51 years they danced weekly.
John is survived by his wife of 64 years Gertrude (Bader), 5 Children: Connie (Denny) Soller, Jenny (Randy) Bearss, Joey, Craig and Mark (Debbie) Helfenstein, 7 grandchildren: Tony, Brian, Cory, Rachelle, Zachary, Greta & Warren, 5 great grand-children: Brenden, Hannah, Brianna, Keegan, Kayden and 1 brother Peter. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters (Eva, Alma, Elizabeth, Katie) and 1 brother (Fred).
Services will be held Wednesday 1/23/19 at 11:00 a.m. with viewing at 10:30 a.m. at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S Pines Rd., Spokane Valley.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Spokane – South.
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