Deborah Lou Helsel

Deborah Lou Helsel, or as many knew her as “Deb”, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024. 

Deb was born on July 24, 1959 to Jacob and Ellen (Snyder) Helsel in Grayling Michigan, where she remained a lifetime resident and influenced the lives of so many. 

In her younger years, Deb spent most of her time with her siblings: Luke, Virginia, and Frenchie. They lived in the home that their father had built in Beaver Creek Township, where the family ran businesses together, such as a garbage tuck route, a logging/firewood business and a Christmas tree business. She spent her childhood with her extended family that included many cousins, aunts and uncles from Grayling and Lake City, and everywhere in between.

Deb had one daughter, Tanya (Bosco) Babbitt, but also helped to raise Stevie, Jesse, Travis and Stacy Helsel. Deb played a large role in the lives of many other children by volunteering as a Girl Scout troop leader, a member of several school sponsored committees, and a proud supporter of Grayling Viking sports. Deb impacted the lives of many kids in Grayling as she volunteered and dedicated several hours of her time to seeing that all the youth members in the community were given a chance, which is why everyone called her “Grandma Deb.” 

Deb is survived by one grandchild, Cooper, who was her pride and joy. She taught him to bake, craft, garden and have fun! In return, he taught her how to fish, take care of chickens, and shoot hoops. Although she only had one grandchild, Deb had several nieces/nephews: Jason and Casey Helsel, Alyson (Matthew) Swinehart, Charlie (Tim) Self, Jake Jr., Emmett and Piper Helsel and great nieces and nephews: Noah, Makenzie, Levi, Casey Jr, Layla, Cheyenne, Logan and Weston Helsel, Logan and Laney Swinehart, Bailey and Brady Self, and Adalee Henderson that she loved and spent time with as though they were her own. To them, she was the superhero known as “Aunt Deb” who helped raise all of them too. 

As an adult, Deb was a hard worker. At times, she worked 2-3 jobs simultaneously. Deb worked as a waitress for the Big Boy franchise for over 20 years. She also worked at Camp Shawono for nearly 20 years, worked at Hanson Hills in the snack bar, and even in the woods for her family’s logging business. In these years, she formed relationships with several coworkers and loyal customers. Some of these people still reached out to her as she made such an impact on their lives. After she officially “retired”, she kept working. She worked at Mercy Hospital Grayling (Munson Healthcare) in the kitchen and at Crawford Continuing Care Center, where she served not only food to people, but also friendship and fun. Her last job was hauling firewood for Helsel Firewood. In this role, Deb was in her element. She was able to “buzz around town” delivering firewood, make friends with complete strangers, check in with old friends, and all while drinking a cup of coffee and smoking a cigarette.

Deb was by far the most giving person most people had ever known. She was an active volunteer for the Crawford County Toys for Tots organization and with the Roscommon Food Pantry. While volunteering for these organizations, Deb gave countless hours to those in need and to her community by gathering toy donations, organizing fund raisers to support the organizations, and standing out in the extreme heat and cold to hand out food. 

Lastly, and most importantly, Deb lived her life with no regrets. She loved people unconditionally and without prejudice. She saw the good in all people and did this with a heart of gold and an iron fist. She had a personality that lit up a room and a temper that would burn it down too. She was spunky and full of sass, and she may have used a few cuss words here and there, but her message was always the same: live your life the way YOU want to live it, help other people when they need it, and if someone doesn’t like it- toodaloo! 

Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.