Steffen Andrew Helgaas

Steffen Andrew Helgaas died April 23, 2021, with his wife and children around him. He was born May 26, 1938, in Madison, South Dakota.

Dad was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, working to provide opportunities for his family, reveling in accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, and enjoying shared experiences with them. A perfect day might include walking through his native grasses surrounded by family members and his Black Angus cattle. As a physician and a grass farmer, he lived his beliefs. After coming of age amidst the struggles for civil rights, he advocated strongly for gay rights and was acutely aware of the elevated risk for suicide among gay youth, supporting them in actions as well as words as a long-time member of PFLAG. Decades before climate change moved into daily conversation, he demonstrated his land ethic with the restoration of grasslands, use of labor-intensive rotational grazing, the planting of thousands of trees, and a commitment to a small footprint in all areas of life. An old friend described Dad as having a “vital intellect.” This was so true. He was deeply interested in literature, music, and politics, attending symposiums and lectures, maintaining a South Dakota Symphony membership for over 40 years, making a regular trek to see The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, and debating the issues of the day.

He is survived by his wife Janet, children Bjorn and Leanne, Bernt and Suzin, Anne and Matt, and grandchildren Tait, Ellie, Cole, Nikolai, Britt and Bryn.