'We're sad, but we're happy': Son sees 'divine providence' in man's body being found

By Pat Reavy, Deseret News

Published: Thursday, Nov. 1 2012 7:24 p.m. MDT

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Summary

Fritz Helland and his wife, Gerda, were married for 55 years. When she died, family members say, Helland still had a network of love and support from his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. But he was lonely.

"He and my mom sold everything they had in their mid-20s, said goodbye to their parents for the last time, their uncles and brothers and sisters and aunts and cousins and all that, and got on a ship and came over here in 1959 because or their faith," Jacob Helland said.

Jacob was just 1 year old when his parents came to America.

"We as family feel we have been blessed because of that" sacrifice his parents made, Jacob Helland said.

Helland had overwhelming praise for Unifed police, Sheriff Jim Winder and the many volunteers who spent hours looking for his father, calling the experience a "spiritual" and "moving" event.

"We realize this was much bigger than just our family," he said.

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com, Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam

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terlds

Ogden, UT

This was a very touching story. Thank you Deseret News. I would love to see more like this.

7:56 p.m. Nov. 1, 2012
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Blue

Salt Lake City, UT

I'm sorry for the family's loss. I sort-of participated in the search by distributing flyers in my neighborhood.

But I just have to ask, is there any outcome to this tragedy that _wouldn't_ be interpreted as "divine More..

7:52 a.m. Nov. 2, 2012
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suess

Salt Lake City, UT

@Blue
"is there any outcome to this tragedy that _wouldn't_ be interpreted as "divine providence?"

I don't know if you have any religious background or belief, but having met this family over the weekend, it was More..

11:01 a.m. Nov. 2, 2012
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