Jon Helgerson

Jon Kip Helgerson, 41, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Eastern Idaho Medical Center as a result of Pulmonary Emboli. Kip fought the most courageous fight the last 12 hours of his life. Kip was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on October 18, 1966 to Carole and Phil Helgerson. He grew up in Pocatello and attended Tendoy Elementary, Alameda Junior High and graduated from Pocatello High School. He moved to Holland, Michigan in 1990 where he proudly became a Union Carpenter. He learned his trade well and was certified as a High Rise and Enclosed Space Specialist. He was known for his skill in erecting intricate scaffolds for the other trades on large construction sites. Often, older workers would come to him for advice about a project. If you heard the strains of Guns and Roses "Sweet Child of Mine", you just had to look around and you would see Kip, singing and walking the steel beams eighty feet in the air. He worked on huge jobs in Michigan; Riverside, CA, Seattle, WA, Richmond, VI, and Toledo, OH, where he worked 90 straight days. Most recently, he was a foreman at the Ethanol Plant in Burley, Idaho. While in Michigan, Kip met his wife, Terri Winslow and on April 20, 1992 they gave our family our wonderful Ian Kip. For the past two years, Kip has been residing in Idaho with his family. Kip followed in his Dad's basketball footsteps. He excelled in basketball at Pocatello High School where he was chosen as a sophomore to play on the varsity squad. He was named to the All-Conference and All-State Teams. He was also chosen as a Converse All American High School player. He was known for his "Shake and Bake" moves and his drives to the hole. No matter what sport Kip played, he excelled and enjoyed it. His favorite activities were hiking in the hills or swimming in Lake Michigan with his son, Ian. Kip was the "guy" that everyone called when they needed a sports or music trivia question answered. He was the one who remembered everyone's last name even from way back in the second grade. Kip was a robust, happy go lucky boy and he carried that into manhood. He had too many friends to count and always thought the best of everyone. He left the impression of his big smile and giant heart on everyone he ever met. Kip was the best son any parent could ever have. Kip was cherished by his mom and dad, treasured by his sisters, adored by his son and idolized by his nephew. Kip was baptized in the Episcopal Church. He is survived by his parents, Carole and Phil Helgerson, his sisters, Georgia (Dustin) Young and Kerri (John) Nemire; his former wife, Terri Helgerson, his son, Ian Kip Helgerson, his nephew, John Nemire III; and his maternal grandmother, Dorothy Pamplin of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Other survivors include, his aunts, uncles, and many cousins in Canada. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the First Baptist Church, 408 N. Arthur Ave, Pocatello. The family will receive friends at the viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday evening, June 6, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. Fourth Ave, Pocatello and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Donations to the Kip Helgerson Memorial Fund may be made at any Westmark Credit Union Branch.