Chris R. Helgesen , 78, Sawyer, died Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Minot surrounded by his loving family.

Chris was born October 15, 1938, in Minot, ND to Chris and Mabel (Olson) Helgesen. He was a graduate of Max High School Class of 1957. He joined the working class in the summer of 1957 as a member of the Burlington Northern Railroad.

Chris was joined in marriage to Jan Gullickson on June 29, 1958, in Benedict, ND. They moved to their lifetime home in the community of Sawyer in 1963, where they were blessed with four daughters.

Chris spent 18 years at the Minot Whites/Bridgeman Creamery as a Bulk Truck Driver. A career change led him to the First District Health Unit in Minot, where he served as a Public Health Worker and retired after 29 years of service as Chief Environmental Health Officer in Minot, ND. Retirement found him working eight additional part-time years for the Spirit Lake Nation as a contract Health Sanitarian. Chris earned numerous service awards for his dedicated and distinguished service to his profession.

Chris was devoted to the community of Sawyer for his entire adult life. He worked for the City of Sawyer for 32 years on a part time basis. He also began service to the Sawyer Fire Department in 1969, where he would be a staple of the department for 33 years, serving as Fire Chief for 26 years. He was honored October 10, 2015 as an inductee into the North Dakota Firefighters Hall of Fame in Garrison for his dedicated and faithful service. Chris was a 44 year member of the Sawyer Lions Club. He provided service to many committees, served as President of the club for three terms and was elected as District Governor of 5NC from 2001-02 during his tenure with the club. In his spare time, he and his wife Jan, ran the recreation center in Sawyer (Jan's Rec) for many years, where you could always find Chris engaged in a game of pinball.

Chris was a family man. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and many friends. He always had time for everyone and will be missed by all who shared in his precious life.

His surviving family includes his loving wife of 58 years, Jan Helgesen, Sawyer; children, Joan (Mark) Schalesky, Asheboro, NC, Pam (Paul) Jensen, Swanville, MN and Candice Schumaier, Minot; son-in-law, Terry Dosch, Minot; grandchildren, Travis Schalesky, Heather Dosch, Jared Schumaier, Aaron Jensen and Kristine Jensen; great-grandchildren, Brian and Christopher Grubb, Matthew and Lucas Lane and Olivia and Jenna Schalesky; sister, Clara (Gary) Morstad, Falls Church, VA; nieces, Marsha and Terri.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kedrin Dosch and great-grandson, Travis Mark Schalesky Jr.

Celebration of Life Service: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot, ND.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot
Visitation: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.