Jerry was born on July 2, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Clifford and Eileen Pierce Helleso. He was raised in Garwin and graduated from Garwin High School with the Class of 1968. He was married to Joyce Seda in 1971 and to this union was born four children, Marty, Cory, Heidi and Casey. The family lived in Garwin and later moved to Gladbrook. The couple divorced and he was married to Susan Carpenter in Garwin. The couple had two children, Kristina and Bryan. The family resided in Marshalltown and later moved to Las Vegas. He was worked in maintenance and security for various businesses in Las Vegas. In 1988, they moved to Malcom and settled on an acreage north of Malcom. He was self-employed as a handyman and operated a lawn mowing service. He also worked for Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Collum Electric, Van Wyk Freight Lines, Wolverine and the West Street Redemption Center in Grinnell. Jerry was a member of the Malcom Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed attending tractor shows, restoring antique tractors, collecting toy tractors, listening to blue grass music, watching John Wayne movies and attending his children's activities. He is survived by his wife, Susan Helleso of Malcom; and six children, Kristina and Bryan Helleso, Marty, Cory and Casey Pettengill and Heidi Giguere; five grandchildren; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter; and one brother, Jim Helleso. Memorials may be directed to the Jerry Helleso Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.