Michael Carlson Hellie

WHITEWATER - Michael Carlson Hellie passed away on his family ranch on Saturday, August 25, 2018.

Cremation has taken place, and interment of ashes will occur at the family cemetery on the Hellie Farm at a later date. Visitation and fellowship were planned at Kirkwood Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, August 29. Funeral services were at the Kirkwood Funeral Chapel Thursday, August 30, followed by a noon luncheon at the North 40 Bar and Café in Whitewater. Everyone was invited to attend any or all of these events. Condolences may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Michael Carlson Hellie passed on August 25, 2018, at his favorite spot on the land that he loved. Mickey was born in Glasgow, Mont., on May 9, 1945, to Arnold "Ike" Hellie and Stella Carlson Hellie. He was born with a farmer's heart and soul; one of his father's favorite stories was of trying to sneak out of the house at 4 a.m. because he thought the days on the tractor were too long for a 4-year-old. Ike got away with it once, but the next morning, when he arrived in the kitchen at 4 a.m., there sat Mickey in his coveralls and boots, ready to go farming. You could not keep that man off the tractor, whether he was 5 or 70!

Mickey served in the National Guard and enjoyed the adventures that came with his service immensely. Other than those training trips, he devoted his entire life to our family, our farm, and our community, finding small miracles and joys in each day of the simple life of the prairie. He was a contract mail carrier for the Loring community for 25 years, worked as a school bus driver for Whitewater Schools, and served several terms on the Whitewater School Board. He enjoyed a good cup of coffee, a good card game and recently, Sunday afternoon Bingo with his friends. He had enjoyed shooting trap and bowling with his kids as they grew up. Mike was a fine self-taught harmonica player and was an acclaimed nature photographer for some years. Mickey continued to participate in farm activities as much as his health would allow right up to the very end, and we are happy he got to do some combining for one last crop and that he got to enjoy seeing his grandsons run the tractor and set a few fence posts under his watchful eye.

In 1980, Mickey married Denice Field, embracing her sons Ray Field and Jason Hellie as his own. Later, they welcomed Addam and Mikita into the family. Though Mickey and Dee eventually divorced, they remained good friends throughout life. Mickey is survived by his children, Ray "RJ" (Christine) Field, Jason (Courtney) Hellie, Addam (Tayler) Hellie and Mikita Hellie, his sisters Kim, Eileen and Lorraine, 12 grandchildren, his Aunt Shirley Dunbar, niece Jill Smith and nephew Colton Richardson, and many cousins, as well as his faithful dogs Duchess and Tater. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Vernon, brother in law Mike Richardson, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was the best of us, a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend, with the kindest, biggest heart any of us have ever known. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all.