Who remembers the Heldstab Ice & Fuel Company? Three of the seven Heldstab brothers (Chris, Ted, and Willard Heldstab) formerly located in Crookston arrived in Bemidji in November 1936 to take over the Tom Smart Ice company. Tom Smart planned to extend his interests in the gravel business, operating a washing and distributing plant, and had just recently purchased a gravel pit west of the city.
In 1939, Ted was the manager; Chris and Willard were both foremen. In 1942, Chris was the manager; Ted was the driver, and Willard was the foreman.
After World War II, Chris and Ted were still with the Heldstab Ice & Fuel Company at the end of Mississippi Ave. So,, but Willard was a driver for the Fire Department. They all lived at the end of Woodland Avenue South on Lake Irving.
Willard and Louise Heldstab built the house at 239 Mississippi Avenue about 1955. By 1958, he was the desk sergeant for the City Police Department.
Willard married Louise Deufault in Crookston on April 21, 1935. They moved to Bemidji in 1936 when the Heldstabs took over the ice company. Willard was a WWII Veteran. He died Oct 6, 1965 at Bemidji Hospital. Louise continued to live in the house until moving to the Northland apartments. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Philip’s Catholic Church and school. She was also a member of North Country Regional Hospitals Auxiliary, Red Cross Grey Ladies and American Legion Auxiliary. She outlived seven brothers and seven sisters. She died in 2008. They had three sons, Guy, Dale, and Bruce.
There was a small stone building that looked like a guest house behind it. It may have been used for storing ice.
Stanley Bryant owned the house by 1989 and owned it until his death in 2013. Stanley had many interests. Outdoor activities ranged from riding his motorcycle to hunting partridges, waterfowl, and fishing. He was also an avid reader on any topic that interested him. He enjoyed telling jokes and funny stories. In high school he did an impersonation of Elvis Presley for the entire school assembly. Stan was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a long time employee and retiree of Potlatch Corporation.