Allan Wayne Helland, age 72 of Titonka died on Monday, October 14, 2024 at his home in Titonka following a brief illness.
A funeral service for Al will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Schott Funeral Homes Mittelstadt Chapel, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills with Pastor Randy Baldwin officiating.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 18, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Schott Funeral Home Mittelstadt Chapel and will continue at 10:00 AM on Saturday.
Burial will be in North Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, rural Leland, Iowa with military honors conducted by the Otto Chose American Legion Post #235 from Lake Mills.
Allan Wayne Helland “Al” was born on April 7, 1952 in Buffalo Center, Iowa to parents Arnold and Arlet (Egness) Helland. Al was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Thompson High School in 1970 and went on to attend Iowa State University for a short time.
On February 1, 1973 Al enlisted in the US Marine Corp and served until his honorable discharge on August 10, 1978. Al met Bonnie Hanna after he joined the Marines, and following a whirlwind courtship, the couple was married on May 12, 1973 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scarville, Iowa. This was the beginning of a beautiful life, and they moved to 29 Palms, California where Al was stationed in the service. Their first son Bryan was born while they resided in California, and son John (born in Forest City) came along three years later to complete the family.
Throughout the years, Al and Bonnie relocated several times. From California to rural Forest City, then Minot, ND, Madison, SD and Charlotte, NC. Moving back to the Midwest they lived in Burnsville and Howard Lake, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, Algona, IA, and finally settled in Titonka for the past 10+ years.
Al was a master craftsman, and many of his jobs were related to cabinet making and home building/remodeling. He also worked for various manufacturers including Fleetguard and Winnebago.
Allan’s hobbies included building furniture, tinkering in his shop, and remodeling homes. Al was a busy-body, but when he was able to sit still, he enjoyed watching westerns or cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes on TV, and reading Louis L’Amour books. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his grandchildren. What a proud Grandpa he was!
Al is survived by his loving wife Bonnie of Titonka; two sons Bryan (Miguel Llamas) Helland of Desert Hot Springs, CA and John (Dusty) Helland of Buffalo Center, IA; 6 beloved grandchildren: Michael Helland-Llamas, Gabriel Helland-Llamas, Rian Helland, Lexes Helland, Jonas Helland and Oliver Helland; and one highly anticipated great-granddaughter coming in March. He also leaves three sisters and a brother: Ann Whitney of Minneapolis, MN, Mona Massaro on Cincinnati, OH, Sandi (Curt) Lacher of Burnsville, MN; and Charlie (Kathie) Helland of Mason City, IA; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Survivors in the Hanna family include his mother-in-law Ovila Hanna of Lake Mills; and 4 sisters-in-law: Emily Voldahl of Lake Mills, Julie Kahl of Grand Meadow, MN, Jean (Shane) Reinsloader of Lake Mills, and Laura VonHinueber of St. Paul, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Arlet; father-in-law Carl Hanna; and two brothers-in-law Larry Voldahl and Mike VonHinueber.
schottfuneralhomes.com