Mass of Christian Burial was Fri., Sept. 23 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Clearwater for Donald J. Helget, age 70 of Clearwater who passed away on Sat., Sept. 17 at his home. Reverend Dennis Backer officiated. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation was Thurs. and Fri. at the church. Parish prayers  were Thurs.

 

Donnie was born April 26, 1946 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Arnold and Mathilda (Tschacher) Helget. He married Jona Paumen in 1969, they later divorced. Donnie owned and operated Helget Construction for 45 years retiring in 2012. He married Vicki Pikarski on Feb. 4, 1989 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Clearwater. Donnie was a member of St. Luke's Parish and a charter member of the Clearwater Lions since 1978 and was a Melvin Jones Fellow.

 

Donnie enjoyed woodworking, horseshoes, puzzles, camping, fishing, deer hunting, playing on the Clearwater Baseball team, working on his hobby farm and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

 

Donnie is survived by his wife, Vicki; children, Troy (Jill) of Racine, Dawn Zabinski of South Haven and Monte (Kelly) of South Haven; 11 grandchildren, Amanda, Jesup (Katie), Jocelyn, Jackson, Tristan, Joshua, Alyssa, Jeremy, Keanna, Kasey and Kamryn; and great grandson, Alarick; brother, Butch (Joan) of Clearwater; and his dog, Whitti.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Mildred Jacobs.

 

Donnie's family would like to thank the Centra Care Health Home Care and Hospice for the wonderful care he was given over the last year. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.