Helge “Manley” Helling, 
89, Fertile, MN, died Saturday, April 6, 2019, at his home under the care of his family and hospice.
Manley was born March 8, 1930, to Knut and Randi (Fauske) Helling in Grand Forks, ND. As a boy he went to a country school, often skiing 6 miles in the winter to attend classes. He went to high school in Michigan, ND. He took boxing lessons in high school for a couple of years and won several awards. He also sang in high school, winning a highly superior award in the state of North Dakota. He later sang solos for many weddings and funerals, including singing “The Lord’s Prayer” at his daughter, Randi’s, wedding.
On July 2, 1950, Manley married Sallie Neumann. They had two children, Linda, and later a son, Manley Scott, who died in infancy. On October 10, 1957, Manley was united in marriage to Marlene (Hornung) Stiles, who had a son, Steven. They soon added Randi, Kip, Kandi, Kindi, and Lindi to their family.
Manley started his working life as a farmer on the family farmstead in Michigan, ND. He then became a businessman and owned several businesses. He worked as a carpenter, a foreman on Well’s Dam/Powerhouse and also as a superintendent on the building of the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington. He was farm manager for Tilden Farms and retired in 1994. In retirement he worked as a machine operator for Leiser Farms in Fertile, MN, not wanting to give up his passion for farming.
He also got a lot of satisfaction from remodeling and building his homes over the years. He was described as having a strong work ethic and always liked to stay busy. He kept up the neighbors’ yards in the summer and plowed snow for them in the winter. He loved spending time with family, including his 22 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, as well as going to basketball games in Fertile, and seeing many of his grandkids play.
Manley is survived by his wife: Marlene, children: Linda Bigley, Golden, CO; Steven (Kym) Stiles, Spokane, WA; Randi (Jeff) Lindberg, Baxter, MN; Kip (Nanci Jo) Helling, Grand Forks, ND; Kandi Tradewell, New Port, NC; Kindi (Danny) Hasbrouck, Fertile, MN and Lindi Mosher, Queen Creek, AZ, 22 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings: Ruth Larson, Ames, IO; Arthur (Phyllis) Helling, Roseville, MN, and Martha Sorenson, St. Paul, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son; Manley Scott, brothers; Kenneth Helling and Milo Helling, sister; Clara Peipkorn, brothers-in-law; Donald Piepkorn, Charles Sorenson and Ken Larson, and sisters-in-law; Jeannine Noppe and JoAnn Scarbro.
Funeral Service: 10:30AM Friday, April 12, 2019, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: Thursday, April 11, 2019, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service at the church, and one hour before the service on Friday.
Burial: Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home Fertile, MN www.eriksonvikfh.com
