Laars Christan Helenius

Dr. Laars Christian Helenius, 49, passed away at home on Thursday, February 25, 2021, with his family by his side. Laars was a gift to this world and should have shined bright for many more years. Sadly, the universe is cruel, and after surviving both combat in the Middle East and three battles with leukemia, he was toppled by complications from all he endured.

Laars was born July 30, 1971, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Burdette and Jeanne Helenius, and grew up in Cedar Springs. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Laars first drove tanks for the US Army’s 3rd Armored Division before joining the U.S. Army band as a trumpet player. Here Laars spent some of the happiest days of his life, touring Europe and playing his instrument. Twenty more years as a member of the Michigan Army National Guard Band followed before his retirement.

Laars earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Western Michigan University and worked as a research mathematician at the US Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Research & Development Center in Vicksburg. He previously spent many years as a teacher and professor, and he loved being an educator. Laars was a renaissance man, and in his free time, he enjoyed such activities as bowling with friends on the lowest scoring team in the league, disputing the answers at trivia nights, dancing with his mom’s friends, working through books of math problems for fun, exploring exotic cuisines, reading science fiction, listening to jazz, playing video games online with his kids, going for adventures with his wife, following the Detroit Lions—and more recently, the SEC—, learning to appreciate bourbon, and homeschooling his beloved cat, Queso.

His children were without a doubt his greatest joy. He was a mostly patient teacher, and his sense of humor and smile will be the thing most missed by all. Laars never met a stranger, and he loved people. He was tenderhearted to a fault, and never hesitated to take the opportunity to tell those he loved what they meant to him. He always treated his wife like a queen, even though it was far better than she deserved. He knew she adored him right back, they laughed often, and the COVID-19 lockdown was survived without either resorting to acts of violence.

Laars is survived by his wife, Shelley Howell Helenius; their children, Annika Helenius, Christian Helenius, Xander Helenius, and Gene Crunk; his mother, Jeanne Helenius; his brother and his sister-in-law, Kyle and Dana Helenius, and their children, Bryce Helenius, Drew Helenius, and Brielle Helenius; his in-laws, William and Mary Golde Howell; his sister-in-law, Melanie Howell, and her sons, William Leonard and Reed Leonard, and his extended family and friends from near and far who wished him well so many times. He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and sister, Colleen. The family would also like to thank the staff of M.D. Anderson for their kindness to Laars, particularly the nurses of the eighteenth floor.

Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on Monday, March 1, 2021, from 3:00-5:00 pm. A memorial service for Laars will be held this summer in Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please acknowledge that time is the most precious commodity there is, put down your phone, and go for a walk with someone you love. Donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are also welcomed and appreciated.

Please join us on Saturday, March 6, at 5:00pm Central time, as the U.S. Army Band honors and remembers SSG Laars Christian Helenius.

The event will be live-streamed on Laar's Facebook page and linked to on the pages of his family members. it will also be recorded so that a copy can be given to his wife, mother and children.

For those who would like to say a few words or share a memory, please join the Zoom session at the following link: shorturl.at/hizBF