Edward Lee Helquist

Lee Helquist
Richfield, Utah

Lee Helquist, 80, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024 at his home in Richfield surrounded by his family and loved ones, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was born November 24, 1943 in Richfield to Alfred Leo and Laura Vest Helquist, the youngest of 14 children. 

He grew up in Richfield, and spent his boyhood fishing, hunting, and helping on the family farm. After high school, Lee enlisted in the Army in 1962, and served in Germany for 3 years as a tank driver and gunner. After he returned home, he attended college at CSU in Cedar City before being called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Northern England. Lee married Janice Platt of Richfield, on September 15, 1967, in the Manti Temple. They are the parents of 6 children. 

Lee always wanted to be a helicopter pilot and he always loved to travel, so in 1969 he re-enlisted in the Army and became a Warrant Officer helicopter pilot. He flew Medical Evacuation and Search and Rescue missions for the remainder of his military career. After a tour of duty in VietNam, he and his family spent the next 20 years moving and traveling all over the country and the world, including more assignments in Germany, Korea, Hawaii, and various locations in the States. In 1988 Lee retired from the Army as a CW4 with 23 years active duty. He then returned to SUU in Cedar City, graduating in 1990 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He spent the next 15 years teaching Special Education at North Sevier High School, Nazlini, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV. 

When he wasn't flying, Lee enjoyed spending time with his family exploring and touring the many places they lived, and camping, hunting, fishing, and riding the mountain trails in his 4-wheeler. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many ward and stake callings, including bishop, high councilor, ward mission leader, and counselor in a District Presidency in Germany before Stakes were organized there. One of Lee's greatest joys was serving for many years with his wife as Ordinance Workers in the Las Vegas and Manti temples. In 2009 he and his wife were called to served a mission as Military Relations Missionaries in Nashville, Tennessee, mainly working with the soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell, KY. 

Lee is survived by his wife, Janice; children: Darcie (Russell) Slade, Lisa (Lee) Huntsman, Windy (Jim) Mcllrath, Trina Helquist, Dustin (Jamie) Helquist, Ryan (Melanie) Helquist, and 22 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; 7 brothers, and 6 sisters. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 1:00 pm in the Richfield 2nd Ward Chapel, with the viewing just prior to funeral services from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery with Military Honors by the VFW Sevier Post #5050 and the Utah Army Honor Guard. 

The Helquist Family would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the nurses and staff at Stonehenge and Zion's Way Hospice Care for all of their care and thoughtful kindnesses to our sweet husband and father. 

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

Live streaming can be found below the obituary.