Ernest Joseph Helland ²⁶⁸⁶

Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, December 23, 1997
Edition: North Sports Final
p. 7

GRAPHIC ARTIST ERNEST J. HELLAND, 91

Ernest J. Helland, 91, of Arlington Heights, a retired graphic artist who pioneered the first art department for Walgreens, died Saturday in Lutheran Home for the Aged in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Helland drew pictures for advertisements in the Chicago Tribune during the Depression and was a charter member of the former Society of Typographic Arts, now the American Center for Design.

Mr. Helland was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he married his wife, Helen, who died in 1987.

After graduating from the American Academy of Art in Chicago in 1927, he began the art department for Walgreens.

In 1944, he returned to Marshalltown and worked as art director at Lennox Furnace. He also worked at Lawrence Press in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He retired in 1971.

He and his wife moved to Palatine in 1973, where they were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

"I can remember him doing Santa Claus in the summer to meet deadlines," said his son Robert, "and drawing George Brent and other movie stars drinking milk shakes for rotogravures in the Sunday Tribune.

"He was always there for his boys," his son said. "When my brother, Dick, was in the drum and bugle corps, my father marched with him on the sidelines, carrying spare drumsticks. When I was in my first play in high school, Dad designed the scenery for it."

Robert Helland also said that his father based one of his cartoon advertising characters on him and his brother.

Mr. Helland's son Richard, who was inspired by his father to become a graphic artist, is also a member of the American Center for Design.

Richard Helland said that his father learned about the stars and navigation from his own father, a cabinetmaker who worked on a ship.

Richard Helland said that when his late mother entered a nursing home, his father voluntarily moved there to be able to care for her.

In addition to his sons, survivors include two grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the services at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Lutheran Home for the Aged, 800 W. Oakton Ave., Arlington Heights.

  Events

• He worked as a commercial advertising artist.

• He appeared on the census in 1930 in Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa. He lived in the household of his father-in-law and wife.

• He appeared on the census in 1940 at East 85th Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He was head of household and rented for $47 monthly.

Ernest married Helen Ruth Kliebenstein, daughter of George Jacob Kliebenstein and Stella Maude Duncan, 26 December 1928 in Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa ²⁶⁸⁶.^,2687 (Helen Ruth Kliebenstein was born 27 December 1905 in Iowa,^2688,2689 died 30 December 1987 ^2688,2689 and was buried after 30 December 1987 in Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa at Riverside Cemetery ²⁶⁸⁸.)