Businessman.
Born at Libau in 1933, one of nine children of Frederick Henry “Fred” Helwer (1909-1966) and Elsie Victoria Hoffman (1910-1994), he established a Massey Harris dealership at Libau, in partnership with his father and brother, in 1952. They expanded to Selkirk to 1956. He operated a bulk fuel business at East St. Paul from 1960 until 1968 when he moved to Brandon to operate a bulk fuel dealership. He later established Shur-Gro Farm Services to sell Simplot fertilizer. It acquired Munro Farm Supplies in 1990. He also sold field spraying equipment.
In recognition of his contributions to innovation in Manitoba's agricultural industry, he was inducted to the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame (2014) and Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame (2023). He received a Manitoba 150 Medal (2020).
On 7 July 1956, he married schoolteacher Vera Ada Katazinski (1928-2021) at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Selkirk and they subsequently had a son and two daughters. He volunteered with the Kinsmen, K40, Ski Manitoba, 1979 Canada Winter Games, and Brandon University Foundation.
He died at Brandon on 23 May 2025 and was buried in the Brandon Cemetery.
“Helwer - Katazinski,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 July 1956, page 36.
Obituary [Fred Henry Helwer], Winnipeg Free Press, 11 February 1966, page 32.
Obituary [Fred Henry Helwer], Selkirk Enterprise, 16 February 1966, page 6.
Obituary [Elsie Victoria Helwer], Selkirk Journal, 24 October 1994, page 33.
Obituary [Vera Ada Helwer], Winnipeg Free Press, 8 May 2021.
“Agricultural icon Ron Helwer dies at 92,” Brandon Sun, 24 May 2025.
Obituary, Brockie Donovan Funeral & Cremation Services.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 31 May 2025.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 June 2025
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