Helmuth "Doc" Hilz

Helmuth “Doc” Hilz, 88, of Beulah, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2022 at Knife River Care Center. Services will be held at 1:00 PM CDT Monday, August 22, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathleen Dettman officiating. Burial will follow at the Beulah City Cemetery.

Visitation will occur one hour prior to the service at the church.

Helmuth was born June 27, 1934, at Beulah, ND to Carl and Ida (Schutz) Hilz. His childhood years were spent growing up in Beulah and while performing as a student manager in High School, Helmuth received the nickname “Doc” for wrapping ankles and tending to the football players. He graduated from Beulah High School class of 1952. On September 17, 1953, Helmuth entered the US Army where he became an Aircraft Mechanic assigned to Ft. Benning, GA. He was honorably discharged September 16, 1955.

On April 21, 1955, Helmuth married the love of his life, Helen Jane Miller. They were blessed with three children - Carey, Steve, and Carla. During their 66 years of marriage, they took numerous vacations, including their favorite destinations of Jamaica, Hawaii and Las Vegas. In addition, many, many years were enjoyed at their lake home hosting family and friends.

Doc owned the Coast to Coast hardware store in Beulah for 23 years. He became well known for his generosity to customers, as well as his involvement in numerous community organizations, church council, and serving on board of directors.  Doc was very passionate about the city of Beulah and seeing it prosper. In addition to the hardware store, Doc began Coal Craft Products made with ND lignite coal from local mines. This passion resulted in Doc and Helen traveling to numerous craft shows throughout the years where they made many additional lifelong friends.

Doc was a kind and caring person who always had time for a visit with anyone. Treating others as you would like to be treated was a value he lived and passed on to his family.

Helmuth is lovingly and deeply missed and survived by his children, Carey VanPelt (Kevin Flaagan), Steve (Darlene) Hilz, and Carla Harildstad; eight grandchildren, who he was extremely proud of, Erica (Aaron), Brittany (Kyle), Lindsay (Nick), Heather (Dan), Steven (Lindsey), Joseph (Brooke), Daniel (Lydia), and Eric; and seven great-grandchildren, Austin, Kailynn, Taylor, Jackson, Mason, Luke, and newborn Winston.

He was preceded in death on November 2, 2021, by his loving wife, Helen Hilz; he was also preceded by his parents, Carl and Ida Hilz and infant brother Duane; his Mother and father-in-law, Albert and Emma Miller; and son-in-law Randy VanPelt.

Memorials preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Knife River Care Center, and Sakakawea Hospice.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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