Helen E. Belling

Helen E. Belling, 96, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at St. Marychr(39)s Essentia Health, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Helen Estelle Van Camp was born in Drayton, North Dakota on August 18, 1915 to Gordon and Annabelle (Richardson) Van Camp, whose families were the original settlers in that area from Canada. She was raised on the family farm and enjoyed life there with her brothers, Robert and Lloyd. One of her school teachers was her mother, who graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1908. Annabelle introduced her students to art and music, instilling in Helen a lifelong love of art. Gordon studied books his entire life and had patents for several of his inventions, in addition to farming. Helen graduated from Drayton High School and trained as a court reporter under her uncle, Judge Charles Butz. She became a secretary and worked for many companies through the years. In 1936, she married Wesley Belling from Edmore, North Dakota. They lived in Fargo, Bismarck, Washington, D.C. and Detroit Lakes. They also lived in Riverdale, North Dakota, where Wes worked on the Garrison Dam project, before moving to Anchorage, Alaska and then Iowa. They retired to Detroit Lakes in 1969, where Wes continued to do land surveying. Helen had many varied interests and accomplishments. She worked in the Methodist Church as Sunday School superintendent and Girl Scout leader. She was active in the United Methodist Women, especially in the field of missions. As a member of Detroit Lakes Library Club, she helped initiate Arts in the Park. She collected early American pottery and studied creative writing, keeping journals through the years. She loved her cats, Sissy and Leo and raising flowers in her garden. Helen also traveled and wanted to see other cultures. She traveled to Portugal, Thailand, Australia/New Zealand, Mexico, Nova Scotia, as well as coast to coast U.S. destinations. Her favorite place was Alaska and returned several times. Helen was above all a generous, caring person, a careful listener and a champion of people in need. She had a world view and an ability to live cheerfully in the present, regardless of the circumstances. Helen always had faith in everything working out and was a joy to be around. Helen is survived by her daughters, Karen Belling of St. Paul, MN; Fern Belling of Detroit Lakes, MN; her grandsons, Ralph (Clare) Martens and Daniel (Heather) Martens both of Bettendorf, IA; great-grandchildren, Maggie, Joe and Mitchell; one brother, Robert (Edith) Van Camp of Drayton, ND; many beloved nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley and brother, Lloyd.