Lee W. Helgerson, 95, of Halstad, MN, died Thursday, April 5, 2012, at the Halstad Living Center, Halstad, MN. Lee Willard Helgerson was born on July 9, 1916, in Minneapolis, MN, to Lynn and Jessie (McCarthy) Helgerson. He grew up in Minneapolis, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1934. In high school, he earned his Eagle Scout degree and was appointed as Scout Honorary Mayor of Minneapolis, even becoming Mayor of Minneapolis for a day. After graduation he attended the American School of Banking at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota School of Banking at St. Olaf College. Lee was employed by Northwest Bank in Minneapolis following college from 1935 to 1942. On May 18, 1940, Lee was united in marriage to Marjorie Klettenberg in Minneapolis. He served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946. Lee also worked for Northwest Airlines during the war on defense related projects in Minnesota and Ohio. In 1946, the family moved to Mahnomen, MN, where Lee worked at Wild Rice Electric Coop as the office manager.In 1952, Lee accepted a job in Halstad with the Red River State Bank, where he was eventually promoted to Executive Vice President. He retired from the bank in 1981. He and Marjorie were active in the community for many years in civic organizations and their church. Some of those organizations included serving as an officer or member of Halstad Community Club, Masonic Lodge, American Legion Post, Halstad Boy Scouts, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Halstad Civil Defense, Lions Club, and Halstad Fire Department. Lee was honored as 1984 Halstad Citizen of the Year, and 1989 Norman County Outstanding Citizen. After he retired, Lee and Marjorie traveled extensively around the United States and Canada. Lee also enjoyed fishing, camping, and canoeing. Marjorie died in 1997. Lee moved to the Heritage House where he lived for several years before entering the Halstad Living Center in February 2012. Lee is survived by his daughters, Marilee (Ralph) Thoreson, Zimmerman, MN, Nancy (James) VonBank, Blaine, MN, four grandchildren, Ryan (Tyria) Thoreson, Nevada, MO, Keri Thoreson, Hutchinson, MN, Jennita (Stephen) Papineau, Ham Lake, MN, and David VonBank, St. Paul, MN, great grandchildren, Brandon, Samantha, David, Sarah, Gabriella, Justin, Mary, Judi Lyn, and D'Alessandro, one sister, Ruth Hoagberg, Colorado Springs, CO, and one nephew, Allan Hoagberg. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.Funeral service: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 2 PM, in Halstad Lutheran Church, Halstad, MN.Visitation: Tuesday for one hour before the service in the church.Burial: Halstad South Cemetery.