CLEAR LAKE, IOWA — Harlan Dean Helps, 75, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center while surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North Fourth Street in Clear Lake, with Pastor Al Berge and Pastor Mike Daley officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Harlan’s family.
Harlan was born December 15, 1950, in Mason City, the son of Harlow and Dorothy (Marshall) Helps. He graduated from Klemme Community School with the Class of 1969 and entered the workforce immediately afterward.
According to his obituary, Harlan built his life around hard work, family and an eagerness to remain busy. He worked in the wholesale plumbing industry for Mason City Supply, Clausen Plumbing and A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing.
His interest in automobiles later led him to work as a service writer for Charlie’s Auto Repair, Over Drive Auto and Auto ER in Northern Iowa. Although he retired more than once, staying retired never suited him, and he continued working through the final chapter of his life.
Harlan married Pamela Abbas in 1970, and they welcomed their son, Rodney. Their marriage later ended.
He subsequently met Loraine Zuehlke on a blind date, beginning a relationship that would last more than four decades. Harlan and Loraine married October 1, 1983, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua and welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth.
The couple enjoyed camping, dining out and taking drives together. They also worked side by side while owning and operating a Mason City rental-home business for 25 years. They moved to Wyoming in 2020 to be closer to family before returning to Iowa in 2022.
Harlan’s obituary describes him as an energetic and outgoing man who could begin a conversation with nearly anyone. He enjoyed long visits with relatives and friends, whether in person or over the telephone, and approached strangers as friends he had not yet met.
He was a devoted Iowa Hawkeyes fan, a faithful Diet Pepsi drinker and a man guided by a strong personal faith. Those closest to him knew him as talkative, hardworking, particular and generous.
Above everything else, Harlan treasured his family. His wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren occupied the center of his life, and spending time with them brought him tremendous happiness.
Harlan is survived by his wife of 42 years, Loraine Helps; children Rod (Shelby) Helps and Elizabeth (Eric) Wetzel; grandchildren Brittney, Danielle and Drake Davis, Nicholas (Mackenzie) Helps, Kelsey (James) Holm, and Emma and Everlee Wetzel; great-grandchildren Langston Helps, Vinny, Blakely and Boe Holm; sister Lois Rayhons; sisters-in-law Charlotte Rings, Eileen Kloster and Sandie Nunemaker; brother-in-law Ron Zuehlke; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlow and Dorothy Helps; parents-in-law Elizabeth Zuehlke and Helmuth (Violet) Zuehlke; brother Merlyn (Pat) Helps; and brother-in-law Francis Rayhons.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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