Memorial services for Gordon Dean Helmers of Northwood will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Bonnerup Funeral Service chapel. The Rev. James Kassera will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Hollandale Cemetery.

Gordon died Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Hancock Memorial Hospital in Britt, Iowa. He was 78.

Gordon was born July 12, 1937, in Ringsted, Iowa, the son of Robert and Helen (Engholm) Helmers. He attended public school in Albert Lea and Hollandale. On May 3, 1958 he was united in marriage to Diana Johnson at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Together they made their home in McAllen, Texas, for 18 years; Mason City, Iowa; and most currently in Northwood.

Gordon owned and operated salvage yards in McAllen and Clarks Grove. He loved fixing, selling and working on any car.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Diana, of Northwood; children Lynn Helmers of McAllen, Todd (Stephanie) Helmers of Britt, Iowa, Terrie Helmers of Mason City, Lynel Helmers of Mason City, and Lori (Mark) Flanery of Clearwater, Florida. There are nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons. Also surviving are brothers Bob (Sheila) Helmers of Austin and Dennis Helmers of Clearwater; sisters Lorraine Lenz of Albert Lea, Lavonne Betsinger of Austin, Jane Marie Anderson of Springfield, Missouri, Aradene Lawson of Wells, Joyce Keafer of Dallas, Texas, and Darla Chavez of Dallas. There are also numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Timothy, in 1965; and eight siblings.