1.RobertDennisHelebrant, born September 27, 1974 in Austin, Minnesota; died April 02, 1996 in Austin, Minnesota. He was the son of 2. MichaelToddHelebrant and 3. JaneElizabethHovind.
Notes for Robert Dennis Helebrant:
Obituary of Robert Helebrant, April 28, 1996, Austin Daily Herald, Austin MN
Robert Helebrant, 21, died unexpectedly at his home in Austin on April 2, 1996, after losing a life-long battle with diabetes.
Rob was born in Austin on September 27, 1974, the son of Michael and Jane Helebrant. He attended Shaw grade school in Austin until the age of 9 when his family moved to the Twin Cities.
He then attended school in Prior Lake, Rahn Elementary in Eagan, Metcalf Junior High in Burnsville and graduated from Burnsville High School in 1993.
Rob also attended Dakota County Vocational Technical School for several months. In August of 1995, Rob moved back to Austin to be with his grandparents and brother.
Although Rob had many jobs in his short life, he especially enjoyed working for Jerry's Nursery in Eagan.
Rob's interests were primarily in music. He loved Heavy Metal but also appreciated other music including classical. In the months before his death, his happiest moments were listening to music and arguing politics with his friends. Rob also loved the outdoors and was a good fisherman.
A diabetic since he was six, Rob struggled physically and psychologically with the demands placed on his life by this disease. He was also deeply saddened by the death of his grandfather, Ray Jorgensen of Austin, in 1994, a blow from which he never recovered.
Rob is survived by his parents; Jane Hovind, Eagan and Barbara and Michael Helebrant, New Brighton; brother John Helebrant, Austin; sister Amanda Helebrant, Eagan; maternal grandmother, Genevieve Jorgensen, Austin; paternal grandparents, Patricia Stevens and Bernard and Jackie Helebrant, Austin; aunts and uncles and special uncle Russ Stevens, Austin.
Funeral Services were held at Mayer Funeral Home, Father Paul Nelson officiating. Interment was held at Oakwood Cemetery. Rob died knowing that he was loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Other Notes:
Rob was cremated as he had wished. His urn was buried on top of the grave of his beloved grandfather Ray Jorgensen who died in 1994.
Robert Helebrant was my younger son. He had an older brother and a little sister, so he was the middle child. As a middle child, he lived in the shadow of his older brother and his little sister received a lot of attention because she was the baby. As a result, Bob was the most assertive and aggressive of the kids in order to claim his rightful place in the family. Yet he was the most emotional and sensitive.
Bob and I had a special relationship. Not only was he my son, but he was a good friend and we shared many happy times together. I think his greatest gift was his sense of humor. He got that from me. He would spend an hour planning a prank on one of his friends or his brother or sister. But his humor was not malicious; it was good, clean fun. A week after he died, I was home and taking some trash out. I had both arms full. As I approached the dumpster, the lid opened all by itself. I said: " Thanks Bob!"
Bob's passing left a tremendous void in my life, but I know that we will see each other in the afterlife. I pray that no one who reads this has to experience the death of a child.
Good bye, Bob. I love you.
More About Robert Dennis Helebrant:
Cause of Death: Diabetes
Fact 1: June 1993, Graduated, Burnsville High School, Burnsville MN
Fact 2: April 02, 1996, Died in Austin MN of complications of diabetes.
Fact 3: April 1996, Interment at Oakwood Cemetery, Lot S 1/2 62,
Fact 4: He was called Bob by family, friends called him Rob.
