John Roger Helsper

Attn: Local 34 members

John Roger Helsper “Doc”

November 21, 1937 to January 10, 2024

Age 86 of St. Paul. Lifelong Westsider. Passed in his home.

Survived by loving children Michelle (Don) Welch II, Tony (Mary), Laura (Chris) Averill, Terri (Tom) Martineau, and Jim (Melodie); grandchildren Zachary (Meg) Poquette and Donald III, Kyle, and Hunter Welch; great grandchildren Kennedy and Bjorn; siblings Bill and Trinka Tiemann. Brother-in-law of Cindy Helsper; Kathy (Earl) Guerin; Jerry (Joey); Lorene, Sharon and Germaine Voto. Many other family members and friends. A special thank you to the Mancini Family.

Preceded in death by wife Judy, daughter-in-law Molly; granddaughter Dominique; great grandson Atticus; parents Frank and Lydia; siblings Mary, Buzz, Dick, Bruce, and Terry Tiemann; in-laws, Claire, Judy and Phyllis Helsper, Len and Walt Tiemann, Len, Bob and Mike Voto, Mary Ann and Gary Lesch; and lifelong friend Father Raymond Monsour. 

He married his bride Judy in 1963. They were together for 59 years and raised five children. As his children grew, they were members of the PTA. Doc was a hockey coach and cub/boy scout leader.

He was honorably discharged from the Marines, in the Air force for 8 years, and lifetime member of American Legion Post 1, Minneapolis. A retired Local 34 member, he worked at various locations, including the Alaska pipeline. He was a lifetime member of St. Matthew’s Church and Men’s Club, Marconi Club, and St. Anthony Society. He was in the St. Paul Police Reserves for 25 years, and President and Vice President of the Trades and Labor Assembly.

Doc attained his lifelong dream of being the Grand Duke Fertilious of the Winter Carnival Vulcans in 1994. He had many fun times and memories with his Winter Carnival and Vulcan families.

Doc lived life to the fullest, spreading his love, giggles, stories, wisdom and unique facial expressions throughout the world. He was a character among characters and will be dearly missed.

Gathering Sunday, January 28, 1-5 p.m. at Kessler Maguire Funeral Home, 650 West 7^th Street, and 10-11 a.m. Monday, January 29 at church. Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m. Monday, St. Matthews Church, 510 Hall Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Assembly Area #3, Tuesday, January 30, 1:30 p.m., 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.