Albert Helmus

Albert Helmus knew what was important in life – faith, family and friends. His 91 years were filled with service to others, from tutoring young people in Florida to ministering to inmates in county jails. With his faith as a beacon, Albert lived his life and guided his children in the way God intended, a life that blessed all those around him.

1914 was a year marked by a variety of events. Of prime concern was the start of World War I. However, in Cleveland, Ohio, citizens were marveling at the first red and green stop light, and after ten years of construction, the Panama Canal finally opened, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Harry and Alice (Jonkers) Helmus had come to the United States from the Netherlands to make their home in Holland, Michigan. Harry worked for a furniture factory while Alice cared for their son Simon. On April 9, the family welcomed the birth of baby Albert. Albert was soon followed by Bernard, Theresa and Ann, filling the Helmus home with the sounds of happy children.

Harry had never owned a car, and rode his bicycle or walked wherever he needed to go. Albert’s upbringing was equally as simple and concrete. His father was a good-natured man but life revolved around the family's Christian ideals and values. Young Albert attended Holland Christian Schools and spent his free time playing softball with the neighborhood children. When he reached his teens, Al joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, commonly known as the “CCC”. The CCC was a work camp set up during the Depression. It was a way for young people who couldn’t find work to earn money. Their job was to work outdoors on Federal and State lands. Much of Michigan was reforested and developed by CCC programs. Al was assigned to Camp Wolverine in Gaylord, where he stayed for over a year. He not only learned the value of hard work, but was able to send money home to his family. He even learned to sew.

At the end of his year with the CCC, Al returned home to Holland and began a job selling bread. He established a route for his sales and worked hard to earn a living. In 1935, Al was playing softball for his church. At a game between the Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church and the Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, Al met a young lady named Harriet Menken. He was 21 and considered himself a city boy, while she was 19 and a “country girl.” Harriet made the comment that she was cold, and Al offered the warmth of his car. Al was good looking and easy to talk to and Harriet was immediately taken by him. They dated for the next five years, sometimes traveling with Harriet's brother Herman and his wife Evelyn. One of their trips took them to New York for the 1939 World’s Fair, a wonderful trip enjoyed by all. On September 20, 1940, Al and Harriet were married in a simple ceremony at her parents’ home, accompanied by his brother and her sister. They honeymooned on the coast of Maine and traveled through Connecticut, returning to Holland at the end of a wonderful week.

Some time later, Al’s brother told him about job openings with General Motors in Grand Rapids. Al applied, was hired, and worked for the next 37 years in the tool and die department. During this time, he and Harriet were blessed with 3 beautiful children – Lynwood, Donna and Faith. Al was a strict but loving father. He was very conservative, as his father had been, and did not believe in drinking, smoking or playing cards. But this did not mean the family didn’t have fun. They loved to travel together. When they were traveling, Sundays always meant church. The denomination was not important, for Al knew that “where two or more are gathered in my name” God would be there. After retirement Al and Harriet spent many happy times camping, starting out in a little pop-up camper, they soon moved up to an 18ft. travel camper.

His faith was an important part of Al’s life. He had been a member of the Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church for all of his life, and taught Sunday School for over 40 years. He served as Chaplain at the Ottawa and Allegan County Jails for over 40 years, still ministering on his 90th birthday. He shared his Christian values with the community by serving on the Holland City Mission Board for 14 years.

When Al retired from General Motors, he was 59 years old and in the prime of his life. He and Harriet began to travel, visiting such places as the Holy Land, Europe, Mexico and Florida. A Florida visit turned into a 13 year ministry when Al joined the staff of the Edgewood Children’s Ranch in Orlando, Florida. Here, he served as a house parent and tutor. The trips to Mexico were mission trips through the church, yet another chance for Al to share his faith and serve the needs of others.

When not busy traveling, Al liked to putter around in his yard, making sure his bird feeders were full and the squirrels weren’t helping themselves. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and loved to watch the games, or listen to them on the radio. He even managed to attend a few games at Tiger Stadium. He enjoyed going to the Holland Christian basketball games, and reading the newspaper, from front to back. Sometimes he read it twice. Armed with the information from the paper, as well as from watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, Al delighted in trying to stump friends and family on the many facts he had learned. He also belonged to the World Home Bible League and was very involved.

As they got older, Al and Harriet began spending their winters in warmer climates. Sometimes going to Florida, sometimes to Texas, it really didn’t matter as long as it was warm. They would return to their home on 32nd Street in April. This was the home that Al had built right after he and Harriet got married, the home they still lived in.

One of Al’s favorite memories was getting together with his brother Barney, telling stories of the “good old days” and laughing until they cried. Barney passed away ten years ago and Al missed those happy times. As they look down on us today, we can be sure they are again enjoying each others company.

Albert Helmus 91, of Holland died Monday, May 2, 2005 at the Hospice House of Holland. He was preceded in death by all his siblings and spouses. Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Harriet; his children: Lynwood and Joyce Helmus of Holland, Donna and Paul Camiller of Elkhart, IN, and Faith and Dan Jonker of Holland; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Edna Haverdink of Holland, Audry Menken of Holland, and Evelyn Menken of Holland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11:00 am at the Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 1 Graves Place with the Rev’s James Scholten and Chad Steenwyk officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 7-9 PM at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 W. 32nd Ave. Please visit Al’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers online, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland or the Forgotten Man Mission.