×

Dr. Karl Lyle Helwig

Dr. Karl Helwig

WINONA, MN -Dr. Karl Lyle Helwig, of Winona, MN, went to glory at 6:30 A.M. Wednesday morning, August 15, 2018. He had suffered a massive stroke on August 4th and was in hospice care in his home until God called him home.

He was born on October 17, 1927 in Humbird, WI to Karl Lyle Helwig Sr. and Almyra Lillian Stuve. His siblings were Virginia Goplen Anderson, William Otto Helwig, and Beth Martin.

He was Salutatorian at his Central High School graduation in Superior, WI. He graduated in three years instead of four, which allowed him to graduate with his older sister Virginia, who was Valedictorian by one point.

He entered the U. S. Navy and was stationed on Guam where he came to know Jesus, his Savior, through Youth for Christ. He was honorably discharged after 2 years of military service as an Electronic Technician’s Mate Third Class on November 21,1947.

He married Opal Ruth Finifrock on August 26, 1951 in Barnum, MN (during the Barnum County Fair), while he was still in medical school and she was still in nurses training (at different locations).

Karl received his bachelor of science degree in medical science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1950. He received his doctor of medicine from the medical school at University of Wisconsin Madison in 1954 and joined the American Medical Association.

He had six children: Karl Lee (Lynn Glee), Jean Lois (Dennis Lanska), David Allen (Debbie Pitts), William Thomas (Sarah Erickson), Daniel Keith, and Suzanne Marie (Jeffrey Touchinski), 17 grand children, and 33 great grandchildren.

He was a small town doctor for eight years in Kerkhoven, MN. He then went on to do his pathology residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN July 1963- July 1967 and joined the College of American Pathologists.

He practiced pathology in Virginia, MN for 6 years, and then at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, MI for 12 years until he was disabled by a traumatic brain injury in 1985.

He moved to Barnum, MN in 1993, where he lived until he moved to Winona, MN with his daughter, Suzanne Touchinski, in 2010, so that she could care for him in his old age.

During his life he belonged to Gideon’s International. He was on the Youth for Christ board in Virginia, MN. He served in Baptist churches most of his life as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, church pianist, and a church choir member. He taught home Bible studies and led a Bible study at the state prison in Marquette, MI. He gave free camp physicals, and he kept his doctor’s bag with him so that he could help anyone that needed help.

He was a private pilot, a ham radio operator, and loved electronics and doing auto mechanics. He loved running, especially through trails in the woods – mapping them all out. He read 100’s of books to his family and made snow forts every winter. He led his family in Bible reading and prayer and was an example of faith in Jesus Christ.

He was at peace at the end and gave testimony for his love for Jesus. Giving a beautiful example of how to die in faith. We loved his humor, and encouragement even while he was passing. Thank you for a life well lived!

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two sons: David Allen Helwig and Daniel Keith Helwig, his brother and his sister: William Otto Helwig and Virginia Goplen Anderson, and by his great grand daughter Phoenix Bliss Collelo.

Make donations in Karl’s name to Answers in Genesis, 2800 Bullitsburg Church Rd., Petersburg, KY 41080.

The “home going celebration” will be held at Sandy Lake Baptist Church, 3077 County Road 5, Barnum, MN 55707 on Saturday, August 18 at 3:00 P.M., visitation will be at 2:00 P.M. 218-485-4429 www.hhkfuneralhome.com