Eugene Helvig, age 79, of Brookings, died Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the Brookings Hospital. Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at the Brookings United Church of Christ. Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Eugene Marlo Helvig was born August 5, 1935 in rural Lincoln County Minnesota to Matthew and Hilda (Hammer) Helvig. He attended rural District 17 through the 8th grade. Eugene then attended Lake Benton High School and graduated with the class of 1953. Eugene attended the New York School of Photography, where he expanded his skills for his true passion in life. On December 15, 1957 he marriedthe love of his life, Susan Marie Meyer. OnMay 1, 1958, he entered the United States Army as a medic and was honorably discharged on April 15, 1960. After Eugene's discharge, he returned to the family farm where he worked alongside his father. After a devastating hail storm, Eugene decided to make his hobby of photography a professional career. He spent the rest of his life taking pictures of all kinds and sharing the beautyand art of the worldwhich he photographed. Eugene was a founding member of the Brookings United Church of Christ. He served as a moderator and chairman of the UCC'sSouth Dakota Conference in 1979. Eugene was also a member of the Photographic Society of America for 60 years. Survivors include his wife, Susan (Meyer) Helvig of Brookings; children, Bethany Helvig (Allen Funk) of Sioux Falls, Christopher (Lisa) Helvig of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Monique Helvig of Estacada, Oregon, and Aaron (Jill) Helvig of Aberdeen and grandchildren Josephine and Alexandra Funk and Jayden and Jackson Helvig. Eugene was preceded in death by his son, Nathan Helvig and parents, Matthew and Hilda (Hammer) Helvig.