Obituary of Reinhold (Ron) Frederick Helwer

For those unable to attend, the family invites you to watch the livestream of the Celebration of Ron's Life on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. (CDT). Please CLICK HERE

 Reinhold (Ron) Frederick  Helwer 1933-2025. Ron Helwer passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre on Friday, May 23, 2025. He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his daughter, Sherry Helwer (Bob Cummings), grandson, Rafe Helwer; by his son Reg Helwer (Aynsley) grandchildren, Jess Stobbe (Nevin), great-grandson Keaton; Andrew Helwer (Elizabeth Chang); Carolyn Zaccaria (Brett); and Adam Helwer; and by his daughter, Gail Helwer (Larry Obelnicki), grandchildren Bronya Obelnicki and Taras Obelnicki. He will also be missed by his brothers, Ed (Adeline) Helwer, Irwin Helwer; sisters, Esther (Clare) McKenty, June Letkeman, Marge (Henry) Hannsen; brother-in-law Ross Olive; as well as many relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Vera in 2021; by his parents, Fred and Elsie Helwer; by his sister Violet Hubert (Lawrence), brother Harvey Helwer, sister Eleanor Olive and brother-in-law Jerry Letkeman.  

Ron was an exceptional entrepreneur and business builder with a generous spirit. Early years were spent in a garage in Libau fixing just about anything that moved, or used to move, with his brother Harvey. They also sold Massey-Harris-Ferguson equipment along with refrigerators and stoves. He moved to East St. Paul to become the Imperial Oil bulk fuel dealer on Henderson Highway while he and Vera built their first house on Hoddinott Road on an acre of land with a large garden. A two-car garage was built but was often used to store bagged Esso fertilizer.

The family moved to Brandon in 1968 where Ron became the Shell bulk fuel dealer. With Simplot Fertilizer building a new plant in Brandon, Ron saw an opportunity and became a Simplot dealer. The fuel soon became a small part of the growing company which he named Shur-Gro Farm Services Ltd. Shur-Gro grew to be a widely emulated retail known throughout the industry. This was thanks to Ron’s vision, his leadership and his dynamic and hard-working staff. Many a businessperson can trace their first job back Shur-Gro but the learning didn’t end when they moved on to other ventures. Ron was a tremendous mentor to many businesspeople of all ages.

Ron was very honoured to be inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame upon being nominated by Ray West, along with several great friends and colleagues who supported his nomination. Ron received several other awards during his long career and was very humbled and honoured by all of them.

Ron found time to coach youth hockey and baseball and volunteer with many groups such as Kinsmen, K40, Ski Manitoba, the 1979 Canada Winter Games and the Brandon University Foundation to name but a few. He lent his talents to a number of worthy causes for fundraising and raised a tremendous amount of money from generous donors.

Family trips to visit relatives in Cold Lake, Alberta, Victoria, Toronto, Chicago, California and all over Manitoba were common and travel was often by car. Numerous happy memories are from ski holidays in Banff, Jasper and Big Sky. A trip would often include a stop at a vendor Ron did business with or to learn from another retailer. A trip to Expo 67 would include picking up a GMC cabover 3-ton truck from the factory in Oshawa, Ontario for a drive back to Manitoba while Vera drove the ¾ ton pickup loaded with the camper. Other travels took Vera and Ron to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Europe, Russia and many destinations in the United States.

We also have fond memories of family times spent together skiing, boating and having large family dinners at the cottage at Clear Lake. Ron and Vera were excellent card players, especially at Cribbage or Bridge and spent hours playing with family, friends and, more recently, Crib was taught to many of his caregivers. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Jay Duncan, Cynthia Sissons and Restorative Care Staff, Melissa Peters and the Palliative Care Staff and all the other doctors, nurses and staff for their excellent care of Ron. 

Sincere gratitude is also extended to the Management and Staff of Shur-Gro for their loyalty and commitment to carry out Ron’s vision every day. Their dedication and extra efforts allowed Ron to continue to work from his home office until his final hours, just as he had always planned. 

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the Victoria Inn - Imperial Ball room, 3550 Victoria Ave, on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.  Flowers are graciously declined. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Ron may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon MB, R7A 2B3 or to a charity of choice. Complete obituary information to follow.