Keith C. Helstrom, 77, of Eau Claire died Friday, June 19, 2009, at his home after a valiant two year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on September 30, 1931, in St. Paul, MN, and lived most of his life in Eau Claire.\r\nHe served in the U.S. Army from November 24, 1948, until his honorable discharge on August 6, 1952.\r\nKeith was united in marriage to Leone M. Johnson in Eau Claire at First Lutheran Church on November 8, 1953. \r\nKeith worked as an auto body repairman at Aerco Auto Body for many years until his retirement. He then worked at Sam's Auto and Paint Supply until August 2007.\r\nHe was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church where he served as an usher and participated in many activities.\r\nKeith loved to work in his garden, travel with his family, and ride his bicycle through the community.\r\nKeith is survived by his wife, Leone "Onie"; four children, Jennifer (Mark) Haas of Eagan, MN, Gregg (Gwen) of Strum, Nancy (James) Dove of Gilbert, AZ, and Pamela (James) Jackson of Colfax; son-in-law, Mark Minot of Eau Claire; ten grandchildren, Sara (Chris) Suick, Peter (Lisa) Minot, Lindsay (Kevin) English, Jordan Dove, Rachael and Michael Haas, Heather and Jessica Jackson, Morgan and Emily Helstrom; five great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Lee (Earle) Evans of Wichita, KS, and Suzanne Rathke of Menomonie; two sisters-in-law, Marlys Root of Altoona and Janet Boullion of Madison; brother-in-law, Roger Johnson of Sussex; and many nieces and nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents, Ellen Helstrom Anderson and Miles Helstrom; his daughter, Cynthia Minot; brother, John; and his sister, Jeanine Delaney. \r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Scott Miller officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery where American Legion Post #53 will conduct military graveside honors. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nKeith's family express their thanks for the care provided by Dr. Daniel Burns and staff at Luther Oncology Dept.\r\nPlease direct memorials to First Lutheran Church, 1005 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703.\r\n

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