Arvid Selmer Hellem

Arvid Selmer Hellem, 90 of Moorhead, MN passed away on Saturday April 28, 2018 at Fargo Eventide. Arvid was born September 29, 1927 in Moorhead to Konrad and Laura (Melhus) Hellem.

Arvid graduated from Moorhead High School and enlisted in the US Navy from 1945-1946. During high school and before he enlisted, he worked and co-owned the Moorhead Ice House business until electric refrigerators became common place. When he returned home he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Fawcett on April 5, 1949. He worked for the Moorhead Fire Department and later as a machinist for the Northern Pacific Railroad. He also co-owned the Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Boone, Iowa and Grand Forks, ND with his brother-in-law, Les Fawcett. They sold the business in late 1967 and he returned working for the railroad in 1968. When Arvid retired from the railroad they moved to Kabekona Lake near Walker, MN.

Arvid and Phyllis enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and spending time with family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, and family man patiently coaching and teaching his kids and grandkids to drive, fish, hunt, water and fire safety, woodworking, and much more. He was very creative designing and building homes as well as crafting woodworking items for family and friends.

Arvid is survived by his children; Peggy (Steven) Nelson, Don (Leigh Ann), Elaine (Steven) Smith, Diane (John) Hutton, Bob (Cheri), and Ginny (Chris) Olson, 16 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; stepsiblings; Gladys Altenbernd, Arvid Leiseth, and David Leiseth. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, his parents, Konrad and Laura, step-father, Soren Leiseth, siblings Lorraine (Hellem) Hagen and Norman who died in WWII in Japan. Other step-siblings who proceded him in death were; Lillian Lanmark, Henry Leiseth, Milton Leiseth, Ron Leiseth, and Robert Leiseth.

Interment will be at Fort Snelling June 11th at 2pm. Celebration of life will be June 12th at 1:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to Habitat for Humanity, Trinity Lutheran Church, or Kabekona Lake Association.