Frederick L. Helm

HILO, Hawaii -- Frederick L. Helm DVM, U.S. Army Colonel retired, died at his home in Hilo, Hawaii.

He was born on May 2, 1945 to John Francis and Helen Margaret (Sughroue) Helm. He had one older brother and later two more brothers and four sisters made up the Helm family. The family lived on their farm in Decatur County, Kansas.

He attended grade school at Spring Branch, a rural school in Lyle, Kansas. He attended high school in Norcatur, Kansas graduating in 1963. After graduating from high school, he attended St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas for one year and transferred to Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967. He then graduated from the Veterinary College at Kansas State as a Doctor of Veterinary of Medicine in 1969.

While attending Kansas State, Fred was in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and was commissioned in the army as a captain after graduation. His military service took him to many different countries and states including, Thailand, Vietnam, Panama, Washington D. C., and Hawaii.

He married Michelle Cabrall of Hilo and they adopted two children, Natasha and Andrew. While stationed in Hawaii, he received his Masters of Science in Public Health at Manoa, Hawaii in 1981. He retired as a U.S. Army Colonel after serving his country for more than 30 years.

Fred was an avid reader, loved farming, loved to dance and have lots of fun. He leaves a host of friends and a big loving family.

He was preceded in death in 2004 by his father, John Helm; and a sister, Mary Helm in 2010.

He is survived by his daughter, Natasha Kukunaokala Sloan and her husband, Andrew of Kernersville, North Carolina; son, Andrew Helm of Athens, Alabama; his mother, Helen Helm of Cambridge, Nebraska; his brothers,: Jim (Yanis) of McCook, Nebraska, John Helm II (Pam) of Redmond, Washington, and Mike Helm (Deb) of Norcatur, Kansas. His sisters are Kathy Brashears (Robert Hezzy) of Curtis, Nebraska, Ceanne Rinehart (Martin) of Colby, Kansas, and Laurie Helm of St. Joseph, Missouri. He leaves 16 nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass is scheduled for him on Aug. 12, 2011, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola, Nebraska at 2 p.m. Inurnment is at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and the Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii on Aug. 19, 2011.

Condolences may reach his mother, Helen Helm and the family at 1205 Nelson St., Cambridge, NE 69022.