Daniel Helm

Daniel Von Helm

September 1, 1970 Santa Fe, New Mexico – July 2, 2021 Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Von was given the gift of life and now at 50 years old he has given it back. This is hard.  He passed away quietly at home with his wife and doggies at his side due to cardiac arrest resulting from diabetes.

Von grew up in Los Alamos and moved with his family to San Diego when he was a young teenager.  He was animal loving, fix-anything, talk-your-ear-off for 10 hours straight (if you’d let him), incredibly all-around amazing man in every way. He took great pride in owning every automotive tool possible along with high quality kitchenware.  He was a wealth of knowledge.  He was thoroughly interested in politics and religion.  He loved dirt bike and motorcycle riding, long distance road trips, going for rides in the RZR, keeping in touch with friends and family, training dogs, traditional/neo traditional and Asian tattoos, reading, cooking, the great outdoors, and was extremely passionate about political science; more than prepared to debate his conservative views.  He had a life-long love affair with Audi’s, Volkswagen Caddy pickup trucks, all motorcycles, sauerkraut and dumplings, pork chops, red and green chili, and most of all, his wife Gail, her, her cooking and their life together.

Loved ones that cleared the path for Von are his grandfather Bill Helm, grandparents Sylvester “Babe” and Vada Nemec and father-in-law David S. Warren.  Loved ones that will miss him until they meet again are his wife, Gail Helm, mother Cheryl Nemec, father Robert Dan Helm, grandmother Marie Helm, mother-in-law Harriet Warren, step-father Douglas Eckert, sisters Shanda Helm and Jamie Helm, brother-in-law, Steven Simpson; nephew, Adrian Ortiz; niece, Treeana Ortiz; niece, Victoria Ortiz and family, Uncle Ron Nemec, Aunt Vada Donathan, Aunt Alyce (Keith) Elliott, Aunt Marla Stratman, cousins and families.  Beloved family and friends:  How precious you all have been to Von.  Knowing and loving each one of you was the success story of his life.  And so, the story goes on until we see our Von again.  We love you and miss you Von: husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend.

Funeral services for Von will begin with a rosary at 7pm on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 and a funeral mass at 10am on Thursday, August 26th, 2021; both of which will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, NM.  Following the funeral mass, Von’s cremains will be buried at the Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos, NM.  A Celebration of Life will be held in San Diego, CA in early October.

The family gives thanks to the Lord and the Go Fund Me contributors making it possible for 2 surgeries in New York.  Also, thanks to many California and New Mexico surgeons and staff, and especially Dr. David Gitlin, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York and Dr. Madhavi Garimella, Los Alamos, New Mexico for their healthcare and love that extended Von’s life.

Von’s battle with Type 1 Diabetes began in 1996.  The Taking Control Of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) organization allowed Von to participate in events to educate, motivate, inspire and connect with the diabetes community (himself) who needs it most.  Guided by the belief that every person with diabetes has the right to live a healthy, happy, and productive life, TCOYD educates and motivates people with diabetes to take a more active role in their condition and provides innovative and integrative continuing education to medical professionals caring for people with diabetes.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in memory of Daniel Von Helm to the 501(C)3 diabetes organization, Take Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) 990 Highland Drive, Suite 312 Solano Beach, California 92075.  Website:  TCOYD.ORG\donate.

The family of Daniel Von Helm has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Daniel Von Helm, please visit our Tree Store.