Obituary for Tamara Joy Helmin (Almquist)

Tamara Joy (Almquist) Helmin, 53, of Osseo, Minnesota, entered into eternal peace with her loving Savior on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017.

Tam was born to Timothy John and Barbara Ann (Rudeen) Almquist on June 18^th, 1963 in Robbinsdale, MN. In 1967 the family moved to rural Milaca where Tam was active in school, 4H, and the Milaca Alliance Church. In 1976, the family moved to rural Brainerd. Tam enjoyed being a part of the musical programs at Pillager School and graduated as co-valedictorian of the Class of 1981. After graduation, she went on to attend Crown College (St. Paul Bible College) and North Hennepin Technical School before entering the world of employment. Throughout her high school and college years, Tam was very involved with Camp JIM (Jesus is Mine) in Pillager. She also had a heart for Haiti and was able to participate in a missions trip in her early 20’s, bringing both physical and spiritual hope to the people of Haiti.
Tam married Peter (Simon) Helmin on November 13^th, 1987 at Church of the Open Door (formerly located in Crystal, MN). Simon and Tam settled in Osseo where they enjoyed gardening and many similar interests for nearly thirty years. Tam established her own home business as a gifted and creative crafts and jewelry artist under the name “XO Handworks”. Her products were sold locally at venues such as Sue’s Country Cottage and Junk Bonanza and globally on websites such as Etsy. Having her own business was so important to her, that she wanted others to have the same opportunity. She donated some of her profits to fund nonprofit microloans to help people in developing countries start their own businesses.
Tam was also employed at, and actively supported, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) for close to three decades.
Tam is survived by her husband Simon; parents, Tim and Barb Almquist; brother, Tom Almquist and his wife Netti; niece Danielle (Tyler) Roelofs and nephew Nathan (Miriam) Almquist. Other surviving family members include Tam’s mother-in-law , Dorothy, brother and sister in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins, from both Simon and Tam’s families.

The funeral service will be held at Crossroads Alliance Church, 9000 101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, on Wednesday, May 10^th at 11:00am with visitation one hour preceding the service. A light luncheon will follow. Burial service will be at River Side Cemetery, 4499 County Road 45, Brainerd, on Thursday May 11th at 11:00 am.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.

Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?