Ted V. Helmer

Ted V. Helmer (98) passed away on September 20, 2007 at the Boundary County Nursing home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho with internment following in the Grandview Cemetery. Ted was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on August 23, 1909. His family then moved to Bonners Ferry in 1920. Ted’s father proceeded to open the first Variety store in Bonners Ferry. He then attended grade school and high school in Bonners Ferry and then going on to attend and earn his bachelors degree from the University of Idaho. While attending U of I, he was a Charter member of Troop K. 116th Horse Cavalry Idaho National Guard. After college, he worked with the Farm Security, the State Insurance Fund and in his fathers Variety Store. In 1935 he married Helen Winterer a beautiful teacher in Bonners Ferry from Carrington, ND. In 1940 Ted recruited members to form the Battery “B” 148 Field Artillery, Idaho National Guard, for one year training at Fort Lewis, WA. In 1942 Ted left for the South Pacific as Captain of Battery “C” 205 Artillery, 41st Division mostly in New Guinea. After 30 months oversees, he returned to Fort Sill, Okalahoma until the end of the war. In 1946 he joined into a partnership with Boyd Lindsay to form Lindsay Helmer Hardware. Ted owned and operated the hardware store with Boyd until his retirement in 1969 at which time he sold his interest in the store to Boyd’s son Don Lindsay. After retirement, Ted and Helen spent 23 years traveling extensively in the winter months in the USA, Europe and Mexico and their summers in Bonners Ferry and at their cabin on Kootenay Lake. Ted loved fishing, hunting and playing golf. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen after 64 wonderful years together. Ted was a loving father and he is survived by his daughter Ann M. Jewell of Spokane, WA and his son Ted J. Helmer and his wife Therese Ann of Newport Beach, CA. His three grandchildren Jim Jewell of Lakewood, CO, Kevin Jewell of Lafayette, CO and Theresa Malarkey of Spokane Valley, WA and five great grandchildren. Jaimee, Phillip, and Gracie Jewell, and Ryan and RaeAnna Malarkey. Ted was a wonderful and caring father, grandfather and husband, and will be sorrowfully missed by his family and friends. The family suggests that any memorials be sent to the Friends of the Restorium.