Helmer Homme

Helmer Homme, age 91, of Winger, MN, passed away on Friday, January 18th, at his home. Funeral services will be held in the spring. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Helmer Olav Homme was born on May 22, 1933 in McIntosh, Minnesota to Mikkel and Helma (Skiple) Homme. He lived all his life at the homestead farm south of Winger until October of 2024 when he moved to Poplar Meadows. Attending grade school in Winger, he graduated from McIntosh High School in 1951. He then studied carpentry at Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis and also attended MN School of Business following his U.S. Army tour. Helmer was drafted on April 23, 1953 serving in Korea through December 1954. Following his discharge in April 1955 he returned to the home farm in Winger.

In the spring of 1966 Helmer met Verlys Maureen Malme, a Home Economics teacher at Erskine High School. They married September 10, 1966. In 1969 they both accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This faith decision became the guiding light of their lives and the promises within God’s Word sustained them. Helmer and Verlys farmed 30 years together, before retiring in 1996. Helmer was a life long active member of Dovre Free Lutheran Church. Along with farming, he sold Garfield Insurance. He served his community by being on the Polk County Fair Board, involved in the Fengestad-Solie American Legion Post #200 of Winger, in Gideon’s International, and in Prison Ministry at the Crookston Regional Jail.

More than anything Helmer wished for his community, friends and family to walk in fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. Helmer was a friend to all, loving to visit with everyone he met. If he didn’t know you, he likely knew your parents or grandparents.

Helmer was a faithful caregiver and companion for his beloved wife Verlys, until her death in December of 2020. They enjoyed sightseeing and fishing trips throughout the years, often with his sister and husband, Sigrid and Dale Chambers. At home, friends could expect to be greeted with coffee and bars, a card game of Rook, or to watch a ballgame together.

Helmer is preceded in death by his wife Verlys, his parents Mikkel and Helma Homme, only sister Sigrid Chambers, brother-in-law Dale Chambers, nephews Gary Chambers and Mark Chambers.

He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbors who have been blessed by his testimony, stories, and many shared memories.