Daryl L. Helmerick was called home by his heavenly father on 26 June 2022. He was born on 16 January 1945 in Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late Harold O. and Florence (Petersen) Helmerick, and one older brother, Larry. He was baptized on April 15,1945 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Little Falls. Daryl grew up and attended school in Little Falls graduating with the class of 1963. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on 6 September 1963.

From their marriage on 20 November 1968 to their divorce on 19 April 1976, Daryl was married to Donna L Smith. While he was later stationed in Aviano AB, Italy, the AF sent personnel from Ramstein AB, Germany, to Aviano. Among them was a "Lutheran girl from Minnesota." Daryl united in marriage with fellow service member, Roberta ("Bobbe") (Decker) Helmerick in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 11 August 1978.

While in the Military, Daryl earned two Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, seven Good Conduct Medals, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, two Noncommissioned Office Professional Education Graduate Ribbons, two Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbons, the National Defense Service Medal, three Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbons, an Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, the Air Force Training Ribbon, four Vietnam Service Medals, two Air Force Outstanding Unit awards, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Daryl served 26 years in the United States Air Force and retired with an honorable discharge as a Senior Master Sergeant on 30 September 1989.

Daryl's lifetime dream was to build his retirement home. From 1989 to 1994 when his wife retired, he studied construction methods and materials and drew up plans for this home. In April 1994, they broke ground on a lot purchased in 1991, four miles east of The Black Hills of South Dakota, near Rapid City. They built the house together, beginning with the forms for the concrete footings that summer, and had a roof over their heads and basic utilities by Christmas 1995, when they moved into the basement. Work on the home continued though very little remains before completion.

Daryl is a 55-year member of Howard Ferrell American Legion Post 46, Little Falls, MN. Daryl's hobbies included working on cars, American Flyer model trains, and watching NASCAR Races, rarely missing any Truck, Xfinity or Cup race. Though he was not an avid hunter and fisherman like his dad and brother, one of his greatest joys was sitting in the boat with his dad as evening fell on Fish Trap Lake in Minnesota. Catching fish was icing on the cake, and a keeper walleye the cherry on top.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Roberta D Helmerick; brother and sister-in-law, Larry Alan and Sharron Helmerick; nephews, Gregory Alan Helmerick and J. Scott Wayne Helmerick, and his wife, Jill and their twin daughters, all of Colorado; brother and sister-in-law, Jay R. and Trudy Decker, their four children and two grandchildren; seven first cousins: six Burt cousins on his father's side: Randy, Kevin and Janet, Patrice and Marsh Pearson, Sally Gammon, Steph and Ed Strickland, Charles and Sandy, all of Minnesota, one cousin, Judy Knowlton on his mother's side in Arizona, and many 2nd and 3rd cousins. Additionally treasured are the many close friends made over the years in the Air Force: George, Mary and Scott and their three children, Bill and Katey, and our godchildren, Katie and John; Brent and Petra and their two sons, Denny and Lucy, Mike and Jane and their two daughters, Gary and Dee, Joy and her son, our godson, Kevin, and daughter, Lisa; and Mike. European friends Herbert, Maria and Bettina; Bjarne and Lis and his daughter; Ernest and Brigitte and their daughter and son. Friends and neighbors, Paul and Sandy, Brian and Amy and their three daughter, Glen and Linda, Ahmad and Shohra, and Karen.

Daryl was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Florence; stepmother, Irene; Aunt and Uncle Margaret and Donald Burt; three first cousins, Debbie (Burt) Wydra, Jan Simrau, (brother Frank), Richard Gammon, spouse of Sally; and one second cousin, Bryce Strickland. Dear friends, Bo, Lonny, Ricky, John and Terry, and neighbors Mary and Jim.

Services will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, July 15, 2022, at Genesis Lutheran Church in Piedmont.