Earl was born the son of Lars and Ella Helland on July 19, 1915, in Medicine Hat, Alberta. His parents immigrated from Norway and Sweden to North Dakota in 1897 and met there. They were married in Devils Lake, North Dakota in 1906. Always the adventurer and nomad, Lars convinced his wife and family of three children to move to Canada in 1909 where they homesteaded north of Winnifred, Alberta. They acquired a land base there where they ranched and farmed. They lost their first family in one week in 1911 to diphtheria. Earl often related his parent’s storied of times there, some happy and humorous, others sad and heartbreaking. As many pioneers could attest to they continued on. A daughter Alice was born in 1912 followed by Earl in 1915 and Gladys in 1919. However the tragedies and hardships took their toll and in 1921 they moved to Turin where Earl attended his first year of school. Their next move was 10 miles north of Cochrane across from the Weedon School, which currently has been restored and moved to Heritage Park in Calgary. He had many stories to relate while there and showed me the woodhouse where he received the strap, and to that day still maintained his innocence. His Dad raised heavy horses for the logging camps plus sheep, milk cows and cattle. Earl could recall many trips moving sheep to and from Cochrane where the sheep were delivered and sold, plus hair-raising storied of the hill north of Cochrane. A sister Luella came along in 1925 and completed the family. Their next move was to Parkland and finally in 1928 they arrived in Lomond. By this time the family took roots and refused to move anymore. Earl was active in his youth and worked for several farmers before eventually purchasing the home farm and added to it over the years.
His single life came to an end in 1947 when he married Tillie (Lil) Stefura. Larry came along a year later. Four years later in 1951 a daughter Elaine was born. She was the apple of his eye. Their family was complete when Lyle was born in 1962. Their children were involved in everything from music to 4-H to sports. The phrase “Uncle Earl, Uncle Earl,” was common around the Helland household as it was a home away from home for the Martel boys and on occasion other nieces and nephews. Earl spoke of the many antics that went on from BB gun fights, remodeled bale stacks, tormented pigs, hypnotized chickens, and fatigued horses. Throughout it all, he maintained his sanity.
Earl’s early years and the 30’s left an indelible impression on him and his character was molded during these times. He was extremely close to his family, their needs always before his and he made many personal sacrifices for them for which they are all forever grateful. His compassion for others and will to make life better motivated him in all the time contributed to his community including time spent as County Councilor. He was particularly proud of Lomond Lions Club and Lionism in general and served in many capacities over the year. Many life long friendships were made during those years.
Earl loved farming and was particularly proud of his cattle and appreciated a good bull. Many a good laugh and tricks on each other occurred at harvest when Bob Taylor and Bud Hornberger were around. It seemed that Earl was always breaking up land and there were no end to rocks. He would often say “Don’t give those rock piles away, they’ll be worth something some day.” He was a good farmer and cattleman and formed the basis for his son Larry’s farming and ranching career. Larry will always remember those early morning rises to go to the Calgary Stock Yards with his Dad.
Earl and Lil built a new home and moved to Vulcan in 1977. Lyle was entering high school and many new opportunities were around them. Seldom could you drop in when friends weren’t there. He loved the commotion of Lyle and his friends. He also enjoyed filling a fatherly role to his granddaughters Dana and Taira as they grew up.
However his love and heart never left the farm or Lomond. Earl lost his lifetime partner Lil in 1988 and entered a new phase of life. He gradually chose a solitaire lifestyle. He moved to the Peter Dawson Lodge in 1996. Elaine passed away in May of 1997 and he seemed to lose his zest for life. His decline was noticeable and he eventually moved to the Long Term Care Unit in the Vulcan Hospital. He was forever grateful for the loving care he received at the Lodge and hospital. Through all his trials and tribulations, it was noted by others, that Earl never complained.
He is survived by a son Larry (Wendy) of Lomond, a son Lyle (Linda) of Calgary, 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and a sister Luella of Ottawa, Ont., a sister-in-law Sofie Stefura, two brothers-in-law Abe Unruh of Waldheim, Sask., Bill Stefura (Elle) of Camrose Ab, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Earl was predeceased by his wife Lil in 1988, a daughter Elaine in 1997, his parents, two brothers, three sisters and six brothers-in-law.
Although his journey on earth is done, you can’t help to long for one more visit.
Funeral service Wednesday May 14, 2003 at .1:00 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church Lomond with Rev. Ed Summers officiating.
Honorary bearers are Kenneth Sokvitne, Melvin Magnuson, Fred Geschwendt, Alex Dodds, Stuart Campbell and Ray Elliott.
Active bearers are Greg Schneider, Wes Honess, Jim Domolewski, Alvin Hendricks, Darrell Maronda, Ralph Seeley.
Interment is at the Vulcan Cemetery at 5:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Earl’s memory can be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church, Box 238, Lomond T0L 1G0 or the Palliative Care Unit, Vulcan Community Health Centre, Box 299, Vulcan T0L 2B0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.