David Plank Helberg

David Plank Helberg was born on March 28, 1937, the only son of Maynard and Doris (Plank) Helberg in Mankato, MN. Dave began his journey to his eternal life in Heaven on October 14, 2025 at the age of 88. Dave had a kind and gentle soul, was a friend to all, and will be dearly missed.

Dave graduated from Mankato High School, where as a Scarlett he excelled in cross country, basketball, and track. Dave went on to graduate from Minnesota State University Mankato (then known as Mankato Teachers College), and continued taking courses after graduation to eventually earn a Master’s Degree in Education.

While in college, Dave met the love of his life, Mary, and they were united in marriage in 1961. Dave and Mary settled in Hayfield, MN, where they started their teaching careers and raised their kids – Jon, Jane, Paul, and Peter. Dave had a great love of teaching, and shared his knowledge with his students teaching History, Government, and Speech at Hayfield High School. He was also the “Voice of the Vikings” at all of the Hayfield Vikings football games until his retirement in 1994. Dave coached several sports throughout his career at Hayfield HS including golf, track, and basketball. He continued coaching golf and teaching Drivers Ed well into his retirement years.

Dave had an active interest in government, and was elected to the City Council and was the Mayor of Hayfield for many years. It was apparent that he liked the job more than his kids did though, as he occasionally got calls about loose dogs running around town, or snow getting plowed into people’s driveway. It was always, hey you (whichever kid was closest), hop in the car – we need to catch a dog, or hey you, grab the shovel, we’ve got some snow in a driveway to clear. He was a dedicated and respected leader, and was repeatedly re-elected, much to the chagrin of his children.

In addition to his family, golf was Dave’s primary passion in life, and he tried to play almost every day in the summer – 3 of the best things about being a teacher – “June, July, and August”. He was twice a club champion, first at Zumbro Valley Golf Course in Kasson, MN, and then at The Oaks Golf Club in Hayfield. Included in his golf accomplishments were 7 Holes-in-One, and shooting his age or better many times – he always said “It gets easier the older you get”.

Dave and Mary spent much of their free time at the family lake home on Church Pine Lake in western Wisconsin. Summers were spent on the lake lounging on the “party barge”/pontoon, sometimes just floating and reading, or having Happy Hour on a sunset cruise. Dave even water skied into his 60’s, and was still able to drop a ski to slalom up until he said “that could be the last time”. They were well known for their regular walks around the lake that could often last hours as they visited with their friends and neighbors. Winters were spent snowmobiling, ice skating, and cross-country skiing on the lake and surrounding area. There was also the Cabin Cup Golf Tourney, a semi-annual family event with the winner awarded the coveted “Red Jacket” and getting their name etched on the Cabin Cup. G’pa Dave was proud to wear the Red Jacket and drink from the Cabin Cup, and was equally proud of all those he coached who were able to don the Red Jacket and drink from the cup instead of him.

In their retirement, Dave and Mary enjoyed traveling the world, and had many memorable trips throughout the years with their friends and family. Dave & Mary eventually found their happy place in Pelican Sound in Estero, Florida, where they enjoyed a very active life-style and could play golf every day – all winter long. Dave enjoyed teaching so much that once he discovered Pickleball, he introduced and taught the game to hundreds of new players in Pelican Sound. He was affectionately known as “Pickleball Dave” or sometimes just “The Pickleball Guy” – whom everyone always remembered for teaching them the game, even when they far surpassed his skills as he continued to play into his 80’s. Dave also loved to dance, and enjoyed all of the music nights at Pelican Sound, where he was especially energetic dancing with Mary whenever he heard his favorite song “Sweet Caroline”.

Dave is survived by his loving wife Mary, his children Jon (Terese), Jane (Charles) Jondal, Paul (Coleen), and Pete (Colleen Pruyn), his grandchildren Alex (Sarah) Helberg, Nick (Nhung Do) Helberg, Katie (Greg) Keating, Grace Jondal, Abby (Andrew) Moran, and Blake Helberg, his in-laws Julie (Brian) Bonucci, Dick Knotz, Debbie Knotz, Andrea Knotz, and Patricia (Knotz) Pound. He was preceded in death by his parents Maynard & Doris Helberg, his father-in-law and mother in-law Richard & Rita Knotz, and brothers-in-law Mike Knotz, Paul Knotz, and Mark Knotz.

A funeral Mass for Dave will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 2nd St NE in Hayfield, MN, with Father William Becker officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of his service at the church on Friday. Luncheon will immediately follow his funeral mass at the church. A Celebration of Life for Dave with his Pelican Sound friends/family will be held at a later date. If you wish to honor Dave’s memory, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or your favorite charity.

To share a special memory or condolence please, visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd Street NW, Hayfield, Minnesota, 507-477-2259. Blessed be his memory.