Michael C. Helling

Michael C. Helling, 56, of Beltsville, Maryland, passed away peacefully in his home on March 5, 2025.

A Graveside Service will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2025, at Linden Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hanska, Minnesota where he will be interred near four generations of antecedents. Following the graveside service, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal. Memorials are preferred to the Linden Lutheran Cemetery Association or the donor's choice.

A Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, Maryland. Here, Michael was baptized, confirmed, and active in youth ministry. A reception follows the funeral.

Michael was born October 29, 1968 in Cheverly, Maryland, and was the beloved son of Dr. Charles and Sharon (Thormodson) Helling. In addition to them, he is survived by his son, Jackson; aunts and uncles, Marlys (Thormodson) Johnson, Margaret (Helling) Arrestad, Alan and Carol Thormodson, and John Helling; cousins, Melanie Johnson, Melissa (Johnson) Werpy, Ross Johnson, Paul Johnson, Peter Johnson, Weston Thormodson, Melanie Helling, Bruce Helling, Eric Helling, Julie Helling, David Arrestad, and Tor Arrestad; and extended family.

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hiram & Hazel (Splinter) Thormodson and Siver & Lila (Wiborg) Helling; aunt, Judith Helling, uncles, Raymond Johnson, Robert Helling, and Dr. Norman Arrestad.

Early childhood piano training, with winning a Peabody Conservatory competition or two, led to a lifelong appreciation for classical music. Piano became sidelined by swimming, at which Michael soon excelled, especially in breast stroke and IM, in swim leagues in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. He also coached and managed teams and pools in this area. While in high school, Michael was selected to serve in Boys State and then elected to Boys Nation, representing the District of Columbia. He was a graduate of Cornell University, where he swam varsity four years.

After graduation, he served as an intern at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, then for four years, as a senatorial aide on Capitol Hill. Over the remainder of his life, his passion for teaching emerged, where he taught (and served as an administrator) at Maryland and DC parochial and private schools. He stretched his students intellectually, in innovative and compassionate ways, and they and their parents loved him. He traveled extensively internationally, and was a whiz at crossword puzzles, an avid sports fan, and kind to all.